nitty-gritty

noun

nit·​ty-grit·​ty ˌni-tē-ˈgri-tē How to pronounce nitty-gritty (audio)
ˈni-tē-ˌgri-
Synonyms of nitty-grittynext
: what is essential and basic : specific practical details
get down to the nitty-gritty of the problem
nitty-gritty adjective

Synonyms

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Examples of nitty-gritty in a Sentence

the governor tends to leave the nitty-gritty of running the state government to others a look at the nitty-gritty aspects of putting out a newspaper
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the movie doesn’t provide much nitty-gritty on how Vera develops as an entrepreneur beyond speaking in English and pretending to be calling from London. — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025 Ask them about their experience and absorb every nitty-gritty detail. — Lucie Hanes, Outside Online, 18 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nitty-gritty was in 1934

Rhymes for nitty-gritty

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Browse Nearby Words

nitty
nitty-gritty
nitweed
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Cite this Entry

“Nitty-gritty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitty-gritty. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

nitty-gritty

noun
nit·​ty-grit·​ty
ˈnit-ē-ˌgrit-ē,
ˌnit-ē-ˈgrit-ē
: what is essential and basic
the nitty-gritty of the problem
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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