abrade

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'abrade' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb which means to wear something away by friction. Example sentence: The rocks abraded the surface of the ship until it was full of scratches.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Silver nanoparticles, in particular, interfere with bacterial replication and the tiniest specks physically abrade and disrupt membrane walls.

The Economist

Such deposits are typically generated in the upper reaches of winter storm beaches where strong surf can sift, winnow, and abrade coarse pebbles and boulders.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Long after he stopped painting, his sculpture continued to betray its pictorial origins: his overriding concern with the interplay of two-dimensional planes and the articulation of their surfaces led Smith to abrade or to paint his sculpture while often ignoring the traditional sculptural problems of developing forms in three-dimensional space.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Milling machines have rotating cutting surfaces that abrade substances with which they come into contact.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mothers of boys will not be surprised by Le's experiment (it was for a science class); my own son used to abrade the hems of his jeans on the sidewalk.

The New Yorker

I told him of the lepers whose fingers and toes abrade away to nothing because of the loss of feeling in the extremities, but he didn't seem to understand what I was driving at.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The tracks include two stand-out performances from Quarteto Em Cy, a girl group branded in the Brill Building mode, including the jaunty "Amaralina .The collection runs hot to cold, ardent red to lonesome blue it soothes and abrades.

The Economist

Aircraft engines and helicopter rotor-blades are constantly abraded by atmospheric dust, and a way of slowing down this abrasion would be welcome.

The Economist

The technique requires that the operator have considerable experience and skill so that the stone surface itself is not abraded.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Particle roundness or angularity also reflects mineralogy (soft minerals are abraded more readily than hard minerals), clast size (coarse particles become rounded more rapidly than do fine ones), and transport distance (sands become more abraded and hence rounder as the distance traveled increases).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some working of shell and turtle shell was done with simple drilling and abrading equipment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "abrade" in technical writing, specify the agent causing the abrasion (e.g., "windblown sand abraded the surface").

Common error

Avoid using "abrade" interchangeably with words like "erode" or "corrode" without considering the specific context. "Abrade" implies mechanical wearing, while "erode" and "corrode" can involve chemical processes.

Linguistic Context

The verb "abrade" functions primarily to describe the action of wearing something down through friction or rubbing. Ludwig provides examples where "abrade" is used in contexts such as physical erosion and irritation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "abrade" is a grammatically correct term used to describe the process of wearing something down by friction. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It's common in News & Media and Encyclopedias, indicating a widespread understanding of the term. When writing, remember that "abrade" specifically implies mechanical wearing, distinguishing it from similar terms like "erode" or "corrode". Using "abrade" accurately enhances the precision of your writing, especially in technical or descriptive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wear away

Focuses on the gradual removal of material through friction or erosion.

wear down

Highlights the process of becoming reduced or weakened through prolonged use or pressure.

erode

Highlights the process of being gradually worn away, often by natural agents.

chafe

Emphasizes the irritating effect of rubbing, applicable to both physical and emotional contexts.

irritate

Focuses on causing annoyance or discomfort through repeated contact or friction.

scour

Implies a vigorous rubbing action to clean or wear down a surface.

exasperate

Implies irritating intensely; infuriating.

corrode

Focuses on the gradual destruction of a material, often metal, through chemical reactions.

rub down

Suggests a smoothing or wearing down action through rubbing.

roughen

Highlights to make or become rough.

FAQs

How to use "abrade" in a sentence?

You can use "abrade" in sentences like: "The constant friction will "abrade" the paint over time" or "The rough surface "abraded" the skin on my hand".

What can I say instead of "abrade"?

You can use alternatives like "wear away", "erode", or "chafe" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "abrade" or "erode"?

Both "abrade" and "erode" are correct, but they describe different processes. "Abrade" refers to mechanical wearing, while "erode" can involve both mechanical and chemical processes. Choose the word that best fits the specific type of wear.

What's the difference between "abrade" and "corrode"?

"Abrade" refers to wearing down a surface through friction, while "corrode" refers to the destruction of a material, typically metal, through chemical reactions. Therefore, they aren't interchangeable.