Usage Note
Grincement is the noun from the verb grincer (to creak, to grind). It commonly collocates with de dents in the biblical phrase grincements de dents, meaning 'gnashing of teeth' — used figuratively for great anguish or frustration. The sound it describes is specifically a harsh, scraping or squeaking noise, like a hinge or a saw.
Examples
"Le grincement de la porte réveilla tout le monde."
Natural Translation
The creaking of the door woke everyone up.

Free starter pack
Building your French vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore French by topic