gravel

gravel — noun

1. very small, smooth pieces of rock that are often combined with sand and used to

1.nounB1
Definition

very small, smooth pieces of rock that are often combined with sand and used to create hard surfaces for paths, roads, and driveways

Example

The gardener spread gravel over the path to keep it dry in winter.

collocation: spread gravel / a layer of gravel

Kwame's driveway was made of loose gravel that crunched under the car tyres.

collocation: loose gravel

Common collocations
  • spread gravel
  • loose gravel
  • fine gravel
  • a layer of gravel
  • a bed of gravel
  • truckload of gravel
Synonyms
  • pebbles

    refers to individual small stones collected or worn smooth, rather than a bulk material for construction

  • stones

    a more general term that includes gravel but also larger rocks

  • grit

    smaller, rougher particles of sand or stone, used mainly on icy roads

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun

Usage Note

Gravel is an uncountable noun, so you cannot say 'a gravel' or 'two gravels'. Use 'some gravel', 'a load of gravel', or 'a layer of gravel' instead.

Common Mistakes

There were small gravels on the path.
There was some small gravel on the path.
gravel is uncountable; use 'pieces of gravel' for individual items.

gravel — verb

Word family

  • gravelly
    adjectiveC1
  • gravelled
    adjectiveC1
  • graveled
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Gravel, pebbles, grit, and stones all refer to small pieces of rock, but they differ in size, use, and context. Gravel is a bulk material — a mix of small, rounded stones and sand — used for paths, driveways, and construction. Pebbles are individual, smooth, decorative stones, often found on beaches or used in gardening; you would pick up a pebble from the shore but order a truckload of gravel. Grit is much finer — small, rough particles of sand or crushed stone, typically spread on icy roads for traction. Stones is the broadest term, covering everything from tiny fragments to boulders. In everyday English: 'The gardener spread gravel on the path' (bulk material); 'She collected smooth pebbles from the beach' (individual items); 'The council put grit on the icy road' (fine particles).

gravel ↗pebblesgrit ↗stones

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a layer of gravel
  • a bed of gravel
  • a load of gravel
  • spread gravel
  • loose gravel
  • fine gravel
  • coarse gravel

Prepositions

Etymology

Old FrenchCelticEnglish

Gravel entered English from Old French 'gravelle' (small stone, sand), which came from 'grave' (sandy shore). The French word can be traced further back to a Celtic root meaning 'coarse sand' or 'pebbles'. The literal verb sense 'to cover with gravel' appeared in the 1500s. The figurative senses — 'to perplex' and 'to irritate' — developed later, in the 17th and 18th centuries, possibly from the idea of a rough, grating sensation.