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

Until now, untitled (halo)’s music has come couched in an alluringly dingy haze, so the first thing that leaps out about their debut is the massive upgrade in fidelity. — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026

The Mongolian restaurant is in the city center, dingy and depressing. — Aube Rey Lescure, Longreads, 29 Oct. 2026

Towel stripping deeply cleans dingy towels, restoring softness and brightness. — Anyssa Roberts, The Spruce, 28 Oct. 2026

They are dinged up and dingy, fortunate to constantly bask in a golden hue that covers up their imperfections. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 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