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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cat Construction Little Machines 5-Pack $10 $5 at Amazon Remember how kids love digging in the dirt? Katrina Cossey, Parents, 1 May 2025 For myself, starting from a flat-footed stop in the dirt, that 60 came in about seven seconds. New Atlas, 30 Apr. 2025 Even better: The lugs on the outsole are designed to seamlessly take you from city roads to dirt trails. Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 30 Apr. 2025 Using a gravity table, the same machine used in gold mining operations to separate out the heavy dirt, the seeds are sorted based on size and density. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dirt. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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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