grunt
grunt — verb
1. if a pig or similar animal grunts, it makes a short, deep, rough noise from its
if a pig or similar animal grunts, it makes a short, deep, rough noise from its throat — the kind of sound that is typical of pigs
The pigs in the barn grunted loudly when the farmer brought their food.
grunt + animal subject / at feeding time
A wild boar grunted once and then disappeared into the bushes.
intransitive: grunt + adverb of manner
The pet pig grunted happily while Tamás scratched its back.
From the pigpen came the sound of pigs grunting and snorting in the mud.
文法句型
grunt (no object)
2. when a person grunts, they produce a quick, rough noise in the throat without fo
when a person grunts, they produce a quick, rough noise in the throat without forming proper words — often because they feel pain, irritation, physical strain, or lack of interest; the verb can also describe speaking while making this kind of noise
When Stefan lifted the heavy crate onto the truck, he grunted with effort.
intransitive: grunt + with + [reason]
Indra just grunted in reply when her mother asked about her exam results.
grunt in reply / without words
"Fine," Hugo grunted without looking up from his phone.
Soraya grunted in pain as she tried to stand up after the long fall.
The old man grunted something under his breath and walked away angrily.
- exclaim
to say something suddenly and loudly — the opposite of a reluctant, low sound
文法句型
grunt (no object)
grunt + speech
grunt + that-clause
用法筆記
When used transitively, the object is almost always quoted speech ("Yes," he grunted) or an indefinite pronoun (grunted something). A full that-clause is very rare in modern English.
常見錯誤
grunt — noun
1. a short, deep, rough sound made by an animal or by a person's throat, often show
a short, deep, rough sound made by an animal or by a person's throat, often showing pain, effort, or annoyance
Eitan heard a low grunt coming from behind the closed door.
countable: a + adjective + grunt
The pig gave a loud grunt and then lay down to sleep.
With a grunt of effort, Abigail lifted the heavy suitcase onto the shelf.
A low grunt came from the other end of the phone line, then silence.
- groan
a longer, more expressive sound — grunt is shorter and more guttural
用法筆記
This is the noun form corresponding to both verb senses — it can describe the sound of a pig or a person. The context determines which.
2. an informal term for a member of the armed forces who holds the lowest position
an informal term for a member of the armed forces who holds the lowest position and carries out the hardest physical tasks in combat or training situations
The grunts were ordered to carry the equipment across the muddy field.
plural: the grunts (as a class of soldiers)
Xiu served as a grunt in the infantry for two years during the conflict.
serve as a grunt
Most of the grunts in the unit had never seen combat before that morning.
The general's speech meant little to the grunts sleeping in the muddy tents.
- foot soldier
a neutral, formal term; 'grunt' carries an informal, slightly affectionate tone
- infantryman
the official job title; 'grunt' is the slang version of the same role
- officer
a soldier with a high rank and command authority
用法筆記
Originally a U.S. military term that became widely used during the Vietnam War. It emphasises the physical, dangerous, unglamorous side of being a foot soldier.
3. a person who does boring, unskilled, low-paid work that needs physical effort ra
a person who does boring, unskilled, low-paid work that needs physical effort rather than training
Manuela started as a grunt in the mail room and worked up to manager.
start as a grunt (career trajectory)
The company hired a few grunts to clean the warehouse over the weekend.
Zayd spent two years as a grunt on the factory floor before becoming a supervisor.
The interns did most of the grunt work, while the senior staff took the credit.
- menial worker
more formal and has a slightly negative tone suggesting the work is beneath the person
- labourer
specifically physical work; 'grunt' can include office drudgery too
用法筆記
Often used in the fixed phrase 'grunt work', meaning the boring, laborious tasks that are necessary but unglamorous. This sense overlaps with the soldier sense but applies to civilian jobs.
常見錯誤
4. the quality of having raw strength, energy, and determination to push through di
the quality of having raw strength, energy, and determination to push through difficult tasks or achieve a goal
The team lacks real grunt in midfield — no one is driving forward.
lacks grunt (sports / competitive context)
This old truck still has plenty of grunt when you need to haul heavy loads.
has grunt (machines / vehicles)
The project needs more grunt behind it if we want to finish on schedule.
Stefan brought the grunt that the sales team was missing — real drive and persistence.
- weakness
the opposite of having power or drive
用法筆記
Uncountable noun. Most common in informal sports commentary, discussions about vehicle performance, or when talking about a team's energy and drive. Not used in formal writing.
5. a hot sweet dish made by cooking fruit in a pan with a soft dough or biscuit-lik
a hot sweet dish made by cooking fruit in a pan with a soft dough or biscuit-like topping, usually served with cream or custard
Tara's grandmother makes a delicious apple grunt with cinnamon and cream.
apple grunt / berry grunt (common fruit pairings)
For dessert we had a warm blueberry grunt topped with vanilla ice cream.
The café serves a traditional grunt that tastes like sweet dumplings baked with fruit.
I first tried a grunt at a bakery in Cornwall and loved it.
用法筆記
A traditional British, Australian, and New Zealand dessert. The name may come from the grunting sound the fruit makes while cooking. In different regions it is also called a 'cobbler' or 'crumble', though the cooking method (stovetop pan rather than oven baking) is distinctive.
6. a medium-sized tropical fish that lives in warm ocean waters and produces a grun
a medium-sized tropical fish that lives in warm ocean waters and produces a grunting sound when it is caught
The fishermen pulled up a net full of grunts and snappers near the reef.
plural: grunts (collective / species)
Grunts are easy to identify by the sound they make when hooked on a line.
Abigail studied the feeding habits of grunts for her marine biology thesis.
Divers near the coral reef often see schools of grunts swimming among the rocks.
用法筆記
Belongs to the family Haemulidae. The name comes from the loud grunting sound the fish makes by grinding its teeth against a special air bladder. Used mainly in fishing and marine biology contexts.