grout
GROWT
/ɡraʊt/
A thin mortar used to fill cracks and joints between wall and floor tiles.
Distinct from mortar or cement; grout is specifically formulated to fill the narrow gaps between installed tiles.
The story behind the word. In Old English, 'grūt' referred to coarse meal or the dregs left over from brewing beer. Because early forms of mortar and plaster had a gritty, sediment-like texture, the name was transferred to the building material we use today to seal tiles.
Word relationships
- mortar: 'Mortar' is thicker and used to bind bricks or stone, whereas 'grout' is fluid and used to fill gaps between tiles.
Commonly confused with
- caulk: Grout is a hard, cement-based filler for tile joints, while caulk is a flexible, silicone-based sealant used for corners and joints where movement occurs.
Collocations
- tile grout
- grout lines
- scrub the grout
- apply grout
Example sentences
- "After the tiles are set, apply the grout evenly using a rubber float." A tutorial on tiling a bathroom wall.
- "The white grout between the shower tiles had turned a dingy shade of gray." A guide on cleaning bathroom mildew.
Memory hook
Grout sounds like 'out'—it keeps the water 'out' of the walls. Grout: Fills the gaps between tiles.
When not to use
Do not use 'grout' to refer to the adhesive used to stick the tiles to the wall, which is called 'thinset' or 'mastic'.
Fun facts
- Because grout is highly porous, it must be sealed with a liquid sealer to prevent it from absorbing water and growing mold.
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