rhizoverbBeta
DictionarygrazeLight scraping or contact
verb / noun

graze

To touch or scrape a surface lightly, or a shallow scrape left by this.

My elbow grazes the doorframe as I carry the laundry.

Etymology
grazeProbable sourceEnglishto feed by cropping grass

Probably a figurative extension of grazing, through touching or brushing a surface lightly. The semantic development is not certain.

More examples

  • The branch grazed her cheek, leaving a thin red mark.
  • He cleans the small graze on his knee.
  • The box slides under the shelf without grazing its underside.

Forms

graze · grazes · grazed · grazing

Similar words

brush
Suggests gentle, passing contact, usually without damaging the surface.
scrape
Usually involves firmer friction and more noticeable surface damage.
scratch
Emphasizes a narrow mark made by something sharp or rough.