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Grassroots

GRAASS-roots /ˈɡrɑːs.ruːts/

nounadjectiveB2GRESATTOEFLIELTS

generalpolitical

The most basic level of an activity or organization; political action originating from ordinary community members.

Implies spontaneous, bottom-up enthusiasm and local community involvement rather than direction by elites.

The story behind the word. Coined in early 20th-century American politics, the metaphor evokes the soil and lawn: real power springing from the ground up, rooted firmly in common soil rather than high political towers.

Word relationships

popular: Popular means liked by many, whereas grassroots means initiated by ordinary citizens.
populist: Populist can carry political anti-establishment tones, while grassroots refers to local origin.

top-down: Top-down originates from leadership or authority figures.
astroturf: Astroturf refers to artificially manufactured fake grassroots campaigns funded by corporate sponsors.

Commonly confused with

astroturfing: Astroturfing creates a fake impression of grassroots support sponsored by interest groups.

Word family

grassroot (adjective): Relating to ordinary people at a local level.

Collocations

grassroots campaign
grassroots movement
grassroots organizing
grassroots level

Idioms & expressions

groundswell of support
bottom-up approach

Example sentences

"The candidate built a massive grassroots movement powered by neighborhood volunteers." Community organizing
"True reform often starts at the grassroots level before reaching national legislators." Social reform

Memory hook

GRASS grows from the ROOTS up—just like ordinary people building power. Power growing from the ground up.

When not to use

Do not use to describe directives handed down from top corporate executives or political bosses.

Fun facts

Senator Albert Beveridge used the phrase in 1912, declaring that his Progressive Party came 'from the grass roots'.