abrasive

UK: /əˈbreɪsɪv/ US: /əˈbreɪsɪv, -zɪv/ ,(ə brā′siv, -ziv)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

a•bra•sive /əˈbreɪsɪv, -zɪv/   adj. 

1. tending to abrade.
2. annoyingly harsh:
   an abrasive personality.

n. [countable]

3. Mechanical Engineering any material or substance used for grinding, polishing, smoothing, etc., as sandpaper.

a•bra•sive•ly, adv. 
a•bra•sive•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

a•bra•sive  (ə brā′siv, -ziv), n. 

1. Mechanical Engineering any material or substance used for grinding, polishing, etc., as emery, pumice, or sandpaper.

adj. 

2. tending to abrade;
   causing abrasion;
   abrading.
3. tending to annoy or cause ill will;
   overly aggressive:
   an abrasive personality.

• Latin abrās(us) (see abrasion) + -ive
• 1870–75

a•bra′sive•ly, adv. 
a•bra′sive•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. harsh, rough, rasping.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

abrasive / əˈbreɪsɪv/ noun

1. a substance or material such as sandpaper, pumice, or emery, used for cleaning, grinding, smoothing, or polishing

adjective

1. causing abrasion; grating; rough
2. irritating in manner or personality; causing tension or annoyance