grungy

adjective

grun·​gy ˈgrən-jē How to pronounce grungy (audio)
grungier; grungiest
1
: shabby or dirty in character or condition
2
: characteristic of grunge music or fashion

Examples of grungy in a Sentence

After working in the garden all day, I felt sweaty and grungy. a grungy pair of jeans
Recent Examples on the Web Mix floral patterns with modern, grungy prints like dark plaid, houndstooth, or stripes. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2024 Minimalistic jewelry such as a chain necklace and a silver ring complimented the outfit instead of taking away from its grungy appeal. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2024 Their look, unkempt and grungy, is far from the professional styling of the groups that most of the world associates with K-pop. Jin Yu Young, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2024 Shot with the Safdie's grungy, crackling style, Uncut Gems could have starred a 1970s Al Pacino, as Howard dodges loan sharks, romantic entanglements, and an all-or-nothing scheme involving a valuable opal that hinges, improbably, on the Boston Celtics 2012 playoff run. Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 23 Oct. 2023 Even seemingly ordinary events like a family reunion or a visit to a grungy Long Beach theme park simmer with undercurrents of violence and matter-of-fact banality. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2024 Owen’s Bagel & Deli 2041 South Boulevard, Suite G This grungy breakfast spot serves up hot coffee and bagels galore with creative topping combinations. Katie Toussaint, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Name a doomed damsel, and a swath of grungy blue is sure to be plastered somewhere nearby. Emily Leibert, Allure, 25 Jan. 2024 Frontman Gavin Rossdale appeared on the late-night show ahead of the band’s upcoming greatest hits tour, showcasing the grungy song with a string quartet (and, oddly, no other musicians). Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grungy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grungy was in 1965

Dictionary Entries Near grungy

Cite this Entry

“Grungy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grungy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

grungy

adjective
grun·​gy ˈgrən-jē How to pronounce grungy (audio)
grungier; grungiest
: being in a shabby or dirty condition

More from Merriam-Webster on grungy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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