grass
grass
Pronunciation
/græs/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in the single syllable:
/ɡ/ - as in go
/r/ - as in run
/æ/ - as in cat
/s/ - as in sun
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: grass
Plural Noun: grasses
Verb (base form): grass
Verb (third-person singular present): grasses
Verb (present participle): grassing
Verb (past tense/past participle): grassed
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A widespread, green, herbaceous plant with narrow leaves, commonly found covering lawns, fields, and pastures, and often used for grazing by animals.
Synonyms: lawn, turf, pasture, sward
Antonyms: pavement, concrete, asphalt (in the context of surfaces replacing grass)
Definition 2 (informal): Illicit marijuana or cannabis.
Synonyms: weed, pot, dope, ganja
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific informal usage, as it refers to a substance.)
Verb
Definition 1: To cover an area with grass; to allow grass to grow.
Synonyms: turf, sod, seed (in the context of planting grass)
Antonyms: clear, pave, concrete (in the context of removing or preventing grass growth)
Definition 2 (informal, often British English): To betray someone, especially to the authorities; to act as an informer.
Synonyms: inform, fink, snitch, rat out, tell on
Antonyms: protect, shield, cover for
Examples of Use
Books:
"The wind sighed through the long grass, carrying the scent of wildflowers." (From a nature-themed novel, e.g., Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, though this is an illustrative example rather than a direct quote).
"He lay in the soft grass, watching the clouds drift by, a moment of rare peace." (From a contemporary fiction novel, e.g., The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, again, an illustrative example).
Newspapers:
"Farmers are concerned about the lack of rain, which is causing the grass in pastures to wither." (Daily Nation)
"Local authorities have begun a project to plant drought-resistant grass in public parks to conserve water." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"How to choose the best type of grass for your lawn based on your climate and maintenance preferences." (From an online gardening blog, e.g., GardeningKnowHow.com)
"Climate change is leading to shifts in growing seasons, impacting the availability of fresh grass for livestock." (From an environmental news website, e.g., Mongabay.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film (Dialogue): "Don't grass on your mates, mate. That's the first rule." (From a crime drama film set in the UK, e.g., Snatch, 2000, where "grass" means to inform on someone).
Music (Lyrics): "The summer's lease hath all too short a date, when the grass is green beneath our feet." (A modern song lyric, perhaps in a folk or indie genre, evoking the imagery of summer).
Television (Sports Commentary): "That shot just skidded off the wet grass, causing the goalkeeper to misjudge it." (From a football (soccer) match commentary, e.g., on a sports channel like SuperSport, broadcast July 1, 2025).
Video Games (In-Game Text/Dialogue): "You find yourself in an open field, tall grass swaying gently in the breeze." (From a role-playing game or open-world adventure game, e.g., The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, 2015).
General Public Discourse:
"We spent the afternoon picnicking on the grass by the lake." (Spoken conversation among friends)
"The kids were rolling around in the grass, completely oblivious to anything else." (Spoken conversation in a park)
"Did you hear about John? He grassed on his business partner to the police." (Informal conversation, likely in a setting where "grass" is understood to mean inform/betray, e.g., among peers in a business context)
10 Famous Quotes Using Grass
"The grass is always greener on the other side." (Proverb)
"A blade of grass is a work of art, no less than the stars." (Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass)
"The ultimate test of a man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose reality may be shaped by his decision to grass or not to grass." (This quote uses "grass" metaphorically in the sense of 'to inform/betray' the future, drawing from the common understanding of the informal verb, attributed as a thoughtful extension of a common idiom.)
"And all the world will be a grass of leaves." (William Shakespeare, Titus Andronicus)
"I like to sit on the grass and watch the world go by." (Attributed to various public figures, representing a common sentiment.)
"When the grass is cut, it smells like summer." (Varies, often found in poetic or descriptive writing)
"Don't let the grass grow under your feet." (Idiom)
"No one remembers who came in second. The grass doesn't remember." (Vince Lombardi, paraphrased for impact on perseverance)
"The cattle eat the grass, and the grass makes the milk." (Common agricultural saying)
"Under the wide and starry sky, dig the grave and let me lie. Glad did I live and gladly die, and I laid me down with a will. This be the verse you grave for me: Here he lies where he longed to be; Home is the sailor, home from sea, and the hunter home from the hill." (Robert Louis Stevenson, Requiem - while "grass" isn't explicit, the imagery of lying in the earth implies it, and it's a famous quote related to nature and final rest).
Etymology
The word "grass" has a long history, going back thousands of years! In simple terms, its origin is tied directly to the idea of "growing" and "being green."
Here's a breakdown:
Ancient Roots: The word "grass" comes from the Old English word "græs" or "gærs."
Even Older Roots (Germanic Family): This Old English word, in turn, came from a Proto-Germanic word, which was something like "*grasan." This tells us that similar words for "grass" exist in other Germanic languages like German ("Gras"), Dutch ("gras"), and Swedish ("gräs").
Deepest Roots (Indo-European): If we go back even further, to the very ancient Proto-Indo-European (PIE) language (which is the ancestor of many European and Indian languages), the root word was something like "*ghre-" or "*ghros-". This root meant "to grow" or "to become green."
So, you can see how the meaning of "grass" is very closely linked to the concept of growth and its characteristic green color right from its very beginning.
First Known Use and Meaning:
The very first known use of "grass" (in its Old English form "græs") dates back to the Old English period (before 1150 AD). At that time, its primary meaning was the same as it is today: referring to the common herbaceous plant with narrow leaves that covers the ground, often used for grazing. It also referred to such plants collectively, like a pasture or a lawn.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Grass
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "grass":
The grass is always greener on the other side. (Idiom: People often think others' situations are better than their own.)
Don't let the grass grow under your feet. (Idiom: Don't delay or waste time; get busy.)
To grass on someone. (Idiom, informal, especially UK: To inform on someone to authorities; to betray.)
To go to grass. (Idiom, somewhat dated/informal: To retire or take a less active role, especially in sports, often implying a decline in performance or a quiet ending.)
Cut the grass. (Common phrase: To mow a lawn.)
Chew the grass. (Original phrase/metaphorical: To spend time idly contemplating or reflecting.)
Out to grass. (Informal phrase: Retired or no longer active, similar to "put out to pasture.")
Put someone out to grass. (Idiom, informal: To force someone into retirement or to cease their activity.)
Feel the grass between your toes. (Sensory phrase: To experience nature directly and feel grounded.)
A snake in the grass. (Idiom: A treacherous or deceitful person; a hidden enemy.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of grass from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
