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 The Freedom of Russia Legion posted video showing several armored vehicles on a dirt track, but the location and date were unclear. Serhii Korolchuk, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 But only half of the site is paved, while the other half is bare dirt — and people live on both sides. Calmatters, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024 On this nearly 5-and-a-half mile journey through the canyon preserve near Jamul, hikers will travel along a wide dirt trail, traverse over several river crossings and walk past the remains of an old cattle ranch. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024 But the camp itself—block after block of dirt lanes and tents—is effectively under the control of its isis inmates. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Much of the road’s dirt shoulder was blocked by concrete barriers and the rest was empty. Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 The new Ram 1500 feels even more capable than before, and the smooth torque of the high-output Hurricane provides a thrilling burst of power on the dirt. Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 6 Mar. 2024 The two-in-one vacuum cleaner sucks up dust, hair, and dirt lying around your carpets and hardwood surfaces with little effort on your part. Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 Since nabbing center fielder Jung Hoo Lee in December, Zaidi had yet to address their personnel on the dirt besides extending a non-roster invitation to veteran shortstop Nick Ahmed. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dirt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 29 Mar. 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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