dingy

adjective

din·​gy ˈdin-jē 

dingier; dingiest

1

: dirty, unclean

dingy fingernails

2

: shabby, squalid

a dingy hotel room

dingily

ˈdin-jə-lē 

adverb

dinginess

ˈdin-jē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of dingy

• filthy
• dusty
• stained
• blackened
• muddy
• dirty
• black

Examples of dingy in a Sentence

He's been staying in a dingy motel.

the bed sheets were pretty dingy so we threw them in the laundry pile

Recent Examples on the Web

The combination of dust, dirt, pollen, and high humidity can leave a sticky, dingy coating on the floors, railings, and furniture. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 July 2026

Bath and hand towels have a tendency to look dingy over time, even when they’re washed regularly. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 19 July 2026

Whiten Laundry Whiten dingy or yellowed clothes with hydrogen peroxide in the washer. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 July 2026

The Miami terminals featured dingy discount stores, and the food choice sometimes came down to a cafeteria without much flavor. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dingy

• stingy

Kids Definition

dingy

adjective

din·​gy ˈdin-jē 

dingier; dingiest

: rather dark and dirty : not fresh or clean

a dingy room

dingy colors

dingily

-jə-lē 

adverb

dinginess

-jē-nəs 

noun