Main Entry: squal·id

Pronunciation: \ˈskwä-ləd\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin squalidus rough, dirty, from squalēre to be covered with scales or dirt, from squalus dirty; perhaps akin to Latin squama scale

Date: 1596

1 : marked by filthiness and degradation from neglect or poverty
2 : sordid

synonyms see dirty

— squal·id·ly adverb

— squal·id·ness noun