dingy

adjective

din·​gy ˈdin-jē How to pronounce dingy (audio)
dingier; dingiest
1
: dirty, unclean
dingy fingernails
2
: shabby, squalid
a dingy hotel room
dingily adverb
dinginess noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the opening moments of the eighth episode, Nina (Rachel Hilson) awakens chained to rusty pipes in a dingy warehouse after her cover as Russian interpreter is blown. Hunter Ingram, Variety, 4 July 2025 But edgy, irreverent, artistic, dingy, grimy, slightly dangerous cool. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025 If your outdoor rug is looking a little dingy, or worse, a little soap and water and some spot-cleaning can get rid of grime and stains and get it back to a presentable state. Karen Grossman, Southern Living, 24 June 2025 Rain and seasonal climate can leave your home's exterior – including concrete, decking, walkways, patios, steps and more – dingy. Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dingy

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dingy was in 1691

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dingy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dingy. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

dingy

adjective
din·​gy ˈdin-jē How to pronounce dingy (audio)
dingier; dingiest
: rather dark and dirty : not fresh or clean
a dingy room
dingy colors
dingily adverb
dinginess noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dingy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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