What does "grant" mean?
The act of granting or giving
Grant
/ɡɹɑːnt/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of granting or giving
- Grammar: grant is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: a scholarship, accede, accede, accede to.
- Useful contrasts: begrudging, bereft, demanding.
- Usage evidence: Even if I grant that what you say is true, it is no excuse.
How to use "grant"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "grant" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "grant" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "grant" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "grant" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "grant" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "a scholarship" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "grant", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of granting or giving
"the grant of permission for a project"
- 2 A United States fifty-dollar bill. US, slang
"He could open that footlocker once in awhile^([sic]) and look at actual cash, loads of bills, tens, twenties, eagles, Grants, Lincolns, Washingtons."
- 3 the act of providing a subsidy wordnet
- 4 The yielding or admission of something in dispute.
- 5 a right or privilege that has been granted wordnet
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 The thing or property granted; a gift; a boon.
"I got a grant from the government to study archeology in Egypt."
- 7 a contract granting the right to operate a subsidiary business wordnet
- 8 A transfer of property by deed or writing; especially, an appropriation or conveyance made by the government.
"a grant of land or of money"
- 9 (law) a transfer of property by deed of conveyance wordnet
- 10 The deed or writing by which such a transfer is made.
- 11 any monetary aid wordnet
- 12 An application for a grant (monetary boon to aid research or the like). informal
Verb
- 1 To give (permission or wish). ditransitive
"He was granted permission to attend the meeting."
- 2 be willing to concede wordnet
- 3 To give (bestow upon or confer, particularly in answer to prayer or request). ditransitive
"He Suſpends on theſe Reaſons, that Thomas Rue had granted a general Diſcharge to Adam Muſhet, who was his Conjunct, and correus debendi, after the alleadged Service, which Diſcharged Muſhet, and conſequently Houstoun his Partner."
- 4 allow to have wordnet
- 5 To agree with (someone) on (something); to accept (something) for the sake of argument; to admit to (someone) that (something) is true. transitive
"The universe exists, said the father: somebody must have made it. If that somebody exists, said I, somebody must have made him. I grant that for the sake of argument, said the Oratorian."
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 let have wordnet
- 7 To assent; to consent. intransitive
"Before I would have granted to that act. But thou preferr'st thy life before thine honor."
- 8 transfer by deed wordnet
- 9 give as judged due or on the basis of merit wordnet
- 10 give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another wordnet
- 11 bestow, especially officially wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 An English surname transferred from the nickname and a Scottish clan name, from a nickname meaning "large". countable, uncountable
- 2 A male given name transferred from the surname. countable, uncountable
- 3 A placename; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Marshall County, Alabama. countable, uncountable
- 4 A placename; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Inyo County, California. countable, uncountable
- 5 A placename; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Park County, Colorado. countable, uncountable
Show 21 more definitions
- 6 A placename; A number of places in the United States:; A small city in Montgomery County, Iowa. countable, uncountable
- 7 A placename; A number of places in the United States:; A small city in Newaygo County, Michigan. countable, uncountable
- 8 A placename; A number of places in the United States:; A city in Washington County, Minnesota. countable, uncountable
- 9 A placename; A number of places in the United States:; A small city, the county seat of Perkins County, Nebraska. countable, uncountable
- 10 A placename; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Hardin County, Ohio. countable, uncountable
- 11 A placename; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Mason County, Washington. countable, uncountable
- 12 A placename; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Clark County, Wisconsin. countable, uncountable
- 13 A placename; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Dunn County, Wisconsin. countable, uncountable
- 14 A placename; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Monroe County, Wisconsin. countable, uncountable
- 15 A placename; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Portage County, Wisconsin. countable, uncountable
- 16 A placename; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Rusk County, Wisconsin. countable, uncountable
- 17 A placename; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Shawano County, Wisconsin. countable, uncountable
- 18 A placename; A number of places in the United States:; A large number of townships in the United States, listed under Grant Township. countable, uncountable
- 19 A placename; A rural municipality in Saskatchewan, Canada; in full, the Rural Municipality of Grant No. 372. countable, uncountable
- 20 A placename; A former rural locality in Barcaldine Region, Queensland, Australia. countable, uncountable
- 21 A placename; A village in Tolmin, Slovenia. countable, uncountable
- 22 A placename; Ellipsis of Grant City. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable
- 23 A placename; Ellipsis of Grant County. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable
- 24 A placename; Ellipsis of Grant Parish. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable
- 25 A placename; Ellipsis of Grant Town. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable
- 26 A placename; Ellipsis of Grant Township. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Even if I grant that what you say is true, it is no excuse."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "grant"?
Common synonyms include: a scholarship, accede, accede, accede to, accept, accommodation.
How do you use "grant" in a sentence?
Even if I grant that what you say is true, it is no excuse.
How do you pronounce "grant"?
Pronounced /ɡɹɑːnt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English granten, graunten, grantien, grauntien, from Anglo-Norman granter, graunter, from Old French granter, graunter, graanter, greanter (“to promise, assure, guarantee, confirm, ratify”), from a merger of Old French garantir, guarantir (“to guarantee, assure, vouch for”) (see English guarantee) and earlier cranter, craanter, creanter (“to allow, permit”), from an assumed Medieval Latin *credentāre, from Latin credere (“to believe, trust”). Alternatively, a regular reflex of Medieval Latin *credentāre with regular voicing of /k/ before a liquid plus low vowel. More at guarantee, credit.
Etymology 2
From Scottish Gaelic Grannd, from Anglo-Norman graunt (“big, large”), from Old French grant, from Latin grandis. Doublet of grand. The dollar-bill sense is from the portrait of Ulysses S. Grant featured on it.