Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or involving the ordinary people in a society or organization, especially as the main or most fundamental part: Describes movements, support, or activities that originate from and are driven by the common population rather than from leaders or elites.
   • Fundamental; basic; at the most basic level: Pertaining to the essential foundation or source of something.

Usage

• The adjective grassroots is used to describe the origin, nature, or support base of political, social, or organizational activities.
• It typically modifies nouns like , , , , , and .
• Example:

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The environmental policy change began as a grassroots initiative led by concerned citizens.
  • To understand the issue, you need to listen to grassroots opinions, not just those of experts.
  • Their success was due to a strong grassroots fundraising campaign.

Advanced Usage

• "grassroots organizing": The activity of building power and collective action from the bottom up within a community.
  • Effective grassroots organizing requires listening to community needs and building trust.
• "grassroots democracy": A political system or process that emphasizes the broad participation of constituents in the direction and operation of political systems.
  • The town meeting is often cited as an example of grassroots democracy.

Variants and Related Words

• Grass roots (noun, often used attributively): The most basic level of an activity or organization; the ordinary people who form the main body of an organization.
  • The party must reconnect with its grass roots to win the next election.
  • She worked her way up from the grass roots of the company.

Synonyms

• Popular: Originating from or carried on by the general public.
• Bottom-up: Starting at the most basic level and moving upward.
• Rank-and-file: The ordinary members of an organization, as distinct from its leaders.

Antonyms

• Top-down: Controlled or directed from the top; originating from leadership or authority.
• Elitist: Relating to or supporting the view that a society or system should be led by an elite.
• Establishment: The existing power structure or dominant group in an institution.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "At the grassroots level": At the most fundamental or local level of an organization, community, or activity.
  • Real change happens at the grassroots level, where people live and work every day.

Adjective

1. of or involving the common people as constituting a fundamental political and economic group
   • a grassroots movement for nuclear disarmament
2. fundamental
   • the grassroots factor in making the decision