: soot, smut, or dirt adhering to or embedded in a surface
broadly
: accumulated dirtiness and disorder
grime
transitive verb
Examples of grime in a Sentence
The windows were coated with grime.
this new product really cuts through grime
Recent Examples on the Web
Living Area Weekly Cleaning Musts While everyone’s cleaning routine will look different based on their space and household, cleaning high-traffic areas such as the living room that are used daily is a good rule of thumb to stay on top of clutter and grime.
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Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 12 Jan. 2026
Because of how frequently they're used, baking sheets often build up with grease and grime that can become difficult to get rid of over time.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 11 Jan. 2026
Let the solution sit on the grout for 15 to 20 minutes to attack the grime.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
Not only does the sweet, honey aroma subtly linger on skin, but the soap itself effortlessly cleans away the day’s dirt and grime.
—Olivia Rose Rushing, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grime
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Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 12 Jan. 2026
Because of how frequently they're used, baking sheets often build up with grease and grime that can become difficult to get rid of over time.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 11 Jan. 2026
Let the solution sit on the grout for 15 to 20 minutes to attack the grime.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
Not only does the sweet, honey aroma subtly linger on skin, but the soap itself effortlessly cleans away the day’s dirt and grime.
—Olivia Rose Rushing, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grime
Cite this Entry
“Grime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grime. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
grime
noun
: dirt rubbed into or covering a surface
also
: accumulated dirtiness and disorder
grime
verb
griminess
noun
ˈgrī-mē-nəs
grimy
adjective
ˈgrī-mē
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