graze
1 of 4verb (1)
ˈgrāz 
grazed; grazing
intransitive verb
1
: to feed on growing herbage, attached algae, or phytoplankton
cattle grazing on the slopes
2
: to eat small portions of food throughout the day
She was grazing on snacks all afternoon.
transitive verb
1
a
: to crop and eat in the field
b
: to feed on the herbage of
2
a
: to put to graze
grazed his livestock in pastures
b
: to put cattle to graze on
grazed the upper field
3
: to supply herbage for the grazing of
That pasture will graze 30 head of cattle.
grazeable adjective
or grazable
ˈgrā-zə-bəl
grazer noun
graze
2 of 4noun (1)
1
: an act of grazing
2
: herbage for livestock to feed on
graze
3 of 4verb (2)
grazed; grazing
transitive verb
1
: to touch lightly in passing
The car's wheel grazed the curb.
2
: abrade, scratch
grazed her knee when she fell
intransitive verb
: to touch or rub against something in passing
Our fenders just grazed.
graze
4 of 4noun (2)
: a scraping along a surface or an abrasion made by it
especially : a superficial abrasion of the skin
had a slight graze on her knee from falling
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- browse
- forage
- pasture
- rustle
Verb (2)
- abrade
- scrape
- scratch
- scuff
Noun (2)
- abrasion
- bruise
- scrape
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1) and Noun (1)
Middle English grasen, from Old English grasian, from græs grass
Verb (2) and Noun (2)
perhaps from graze entry 1
First Known Use
Verb (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun (1)
1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
1604, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (2)
1847, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
graze 1 of 3
verb
ˈgrāz
grazed; grazing
1
: to eat grass
The cattle grazed.
2
: to supply with grass or pasture The farmer grazed the cattle.
graze
2 of 3verb
grazed; grazing
1
: to rub lightly in passing : barely touch
The bat just grazed the ball.
2
: to scrape by rubbing against something
… one of the long spikes grazed his shoulder, ripping his robes …
J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Firegraze
3 of 3noun
: a scrape or mark caused by scraping against something
grazed 1 of 2
verb (1)
as in rustled
to feed on grass or herbs cows grazing in the meadow Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- rustled
- fed
- pastured
- nibbled
- ate
- foraged
- browsed
- overgrazed
- stocked
- ranged
grazed
2 of 2verb (2)
1
as in scraped
to damage by rubbing against a sharp or rough surface I grazed my elbow diving for the ball Synonyms & Similar Words
- scraped
- scratched
- abraded
- bruised
- scuffed
- lacerated
- barked
- skinned
- clawed
- chafed
- cut
- contused
- fretted
- galled
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- softened
- smoothed
- polished
- waxed
2
as in brushed
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing the volleyball just grazed my face, so I'm okay Synonyms & Similar Words
- brushed
- kissed
- touched
- nudged
- caressed
- skimmed
- shaved
- scraped
- patted
- stroked
- bumped
- swept
- ricocheted
- missed
- struck
- swiped
- ricochetted
- sideswiped
- glanced
- caromed
- bounced
- skipped
- rebounded
- contacted
- fondled
- petted
- cuddled
- skirted
- loved
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- knocked
- rammed
- hit
- crashed
- smashed
- bumped
- smacked
- whacked
- punched
- collided
- swiped
- impinged
- slapped
- banged
- impacted
- clashed
- thwacked
- slammed
- bashed
- thudded