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

But even the most stylish setup can be dulled by dingy concrete. — Martha Stewart, 21 June 2026

The result can be dingy clothes, trapped odors, excess suds and even buildup inside your washing machine. — Ryan Brennan may 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026

Margot’s room is dark and dingy, more like a cell with its anti-suicide windows, and the mattress shows unsavory traces of what looks very much like blood. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 May 2026

Keep It Clean An unkempt shower curtain can make your bathroom appear dingy. — Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 June 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