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

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The usual dingy couch and worn coffee table have been replaced by a full-on suite, complete with a skylight, piano, coffee, bar, and a walk-in shower.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

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

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