1
a
b
: a filthy or soiling substance (such as mud, dust, or grime)
c
archaic : something worthless
d
: a contemptible person
treated me like dirt
2
: loose or packed soil or sand : earth
a mound of dirt
a dirt road
3
a
: an abject or filthy state : squalor
living in dirt
b
: corruption, chicanery
vowed to clean up the dirt in the city government
c
: licentiousness of language or theme
d
: scandalous or malicious gossip
spreading dirt about his ex-wife
e
: embarrassing or incriminating information
trying to dig up dirt on her political rivals

Examples of dirt in a Sentence

Pack dirt loosely around the base of the plant. You've got some dirt on your face. Their shoes were covered with dirt. No amount of cleaning will get rid of all this dirt.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Schaeffer spiked his gum and hat into the dirt after getting in between De Jesus and Freeman, which led to the umpire tossing the interim manager from the game. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025 This will lift the dirt and stains from the shower lines. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 28 June 2025 Washing Charlie in the upstairs bathtub left the house covered in dirt and required his humans to bend over, straining their backs. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2025 Earning our Editor's Choice Award for robot mops, the iRobot Braava Jet M6 can also sweep dirt and debris off your floors, covering up to 1,000 square feet in a single session. Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dirt

Word History

Etymology

Middle English drit, from Old Norse; akin to Old English drītan to defecate

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dirt was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dirt. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

dirt

noun
1
: a filthy or soiling substance (as mud, dust, or grime)
2
: loose or packed earth : soil
a mound of dirt
3
b
: indecent language : obscenity
4
: harmful gossip
stop spreading dirt about him

More from Merriam-Webster on dirt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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