dingy

1 of 2

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

dinginess

2 of 2

noun

din·​gi·​ness -jēnə̇s 

-jin-

plural -es

: the condition of being dingy

he was appalled by the dinginess of the house

Synonyms of dingy

Adjective

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

Examples of dingy in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Nothing ages a bathroom like tile that is dingy, dull, or black with mold and mildew. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026

In response, the leader of Arioka orders Kanbei be thrown in the castle’s impeccably dingy dungeon. — Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

Vibrant Yellows Bright yellow can cause to white cabinets looking dingy and fight against natural elements, like marble, granite, or tile. — Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 26 July 2026

The usual dingy couch and worn coffee table have been replaced by a full-on suite, complete with a skylight, piano, coffee, bar, and a walk-in shower. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

origin unknown

First Known Use

Adjective

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