abrasive

1 of 2

adjective

abra·​sive ə-ˈbrā-siv 

-ziv

1

: causing damage, wear, or removal of surface material by grinding or rubbing : tending to abrade

abrasive compounds for whitening teeth

an abrasive surface

2

: causing irritation

abrasive manners

an abrasive personality

abrasively adverb

abrasiveness noun

abrasive

2 of 2

noun

: a substance (such as emery or pumice) used for abrading, smoothing, or polishing

used an abrasive for polishing the rough stones

Did you know?

Abrasive Has Latin Roots

Once upon a time, English had abrade and abrase. While abrade remains a familiar word, abrase is rare but survives in abrasive. Both verbs come from abrādere, meaning "to remove by rubbing" or "to scrape off."

Synonyms

Adjective

• annoying
• irritating
• frustrating
• disturbing

Examples of abrasive in a Sentence

Adjective

The waves had an abrasive action on the rocks.

an abrasive display of rude behavior

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Beto brought an abrasive edge up top, seeing his header saved in the build-up to Grealish’s winner, while Tim Iroegbunam won the penalty for the equaliser. —Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025

The formula combines konjac and peach seed granules to gently buff away dead skin, offering an effective polish without abrasive grit; Japanese camellia oil locks in moisture instead of stripping it. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2025

Noun

The crystals act as an abrasive to remove those tougher messes without damaging your pan. —Julie Harans, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025

Both include gentle mineral abrasives for scrubbing and polishing without leaving behind scratches. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin abrāsus, past participle of abrādere "to scrape off, abrade" + -ive

Noun

derivative of abrasive entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1850, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for abrasive

• invasive
• persuasive
• pervasive
• noninvasive
• unpersuasive

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Kids Definition

abrasive

1 of 2 adjective

abra·​sive ə-ˈbrā-siv 

-ziv

: having the effect of abrading

abrasively adverb

abrasiveness noun

abrasive

2 of 2 noun

: a substance (as sand) used for grinding, smoothing, or polishing

Medical Definition

abrasive

1 of 2 adjective

abra·​sive ə-ˈbrā-siv  -ziv 

: tending to abrade

an abrasive substance

abrasiveness noun

abrasive

2 of 2 noun

: a substance (as emery or pumice) used for abrading, smoothing, or polishing

called also abradant