1
a
b
: a filthy or soiling substance (such as mud, dust, or grime)
c
archaic : something worthless
d
: a contemptible person
treated me like dirt
2
: loose or packed soil or sand : earth
a mound of dirt
a dirt road
3
a
: an abject or filthy state : squalor
living in dirt
b
: corruption, chicanery
vowed to clean up the dirt in the city government
c
: licentiousness of language or theme
d
: scandalous or malicious gossip
spreading dirt about his ex-wife
e
: embarrassing or incriminating information
trying to dig up dirt on her political rivals

Examples of dirt in a Sentence

Pack dirt loosely around the base of the plant. You've got some dirt on your face. Their shoes were covered with dirt. No amount of cleaning will get rid of all this dirt.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Beauty, lust, dirt, and money soaked in cobalt around me. Natasha Rao, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2024 Micelles act like a magnet for dirt and pollution, gently lifting particles away from the scalp. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 26 Oct. 2024 The same ingredients that target dirt and oils in your hair can easily be redirected to lift difficult grease around the home. Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024 This Korean face wash melts away makeup, dirt, and sunscreen, leaving your skin with a clean feel without any oily remnants. Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dirt 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English drit, from Old Norse; akin to Old English drītan to defecate

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dirt was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near dirt

Cite this Entry

“Dirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dirt. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

dirt

noun
1
: a filthy or soiling substance (as mud, dust, or grime)
2
: loose or packed earth : soil
a mound of dirt
3
b
: indecent language : obscenity
4
: harmful gossip
stop spreading dirt about him

More from Merriam-Webster on dirt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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