dirt

noun

ˈdərt 

1

a

: excrement

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

Synonyms

• clod
• earth
• ground
• mold
• soil

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

After logging your miles, kick off your shoes and stand in the grass or dirt, or on cement if that’s the only thing available. —Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 15 Oct. 2024

Prepare the wheatgrass: To remove dirt and debris, rinse the wheatgrass thoroughly under water. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 14 Oct. 2024

According to a report from the Medical Examiner's office, an investigator climbed down a ladder into the 3-foot-deep excavation site and observed multiple bones sticking out of the dirt on one of the side walls. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 11 Oct. 2024

Starting at the top and following the nap of the suede, brush away dust and dirt from the boots using a suede brush. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing dirt

• dirt bike
• dirt cheap
• dirt farmer
• dirt floor
• dirt-poor
• dirt road
• hit/strike pay dirt
• hit the dirt
• in the dirt
• pay dirt
• treat (someone) like dirt

Kids Definition

dirt

noun

ˈdərt 

1

: a filthy or soiling substance (as mud, dust, or grime)

2

: loose or packed earth : soil

a mound of dirt

3

a

: corruption sense 2

b

: indecent language : obscenity

4

: harmful gossip

stop spreading dirt about him