earthy

adjective

ˈər-thē  -t͟hē 

earthier; earthiest

1

a

: of, relating to, or consisting of earth

earthy creatures like worms

b

: suggestive of earth (as in texture, odor, or color)

an earthy yellow

c

: rough, coarse, or plain in taste

earthy flavors

2

a

archaic : earthly, worldly

b

: characteristic of or associated with mortal life on the earth

prefers earthy to ethereal themes

3

: suggestive of plain or poor people or their ways: such as

a

: practical, down-to-earth

earthy problems of daily life

b

: crude, gross

earthy humor

c

: plain and simple in style : unsophisticated

earthy peasant cookery

earthy decor

earthiness noun

Synonyms

• sandy
• loamy
• muddy

Examples of earthy in a Sentence

a blend of earthy colors

The wine had an earthy flavor.

Critics were impressed by the movie's earthy realism.

food made with simple, earthy ingredients

Recent Examples on the Web

There are 92 elegant guest rooms (including 55 suites), all of which are individually decorated in tasteful and calming earthy neutrals. —Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025

Pine nuts sprinkled on top give the zesty sauce a little earthy counterpoint. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 27 June 2025

This floor lamp achieves modern, earthy mood lighting in one fell swoop. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2025

After a quick pass on the grill, the earthy tikin xic was returned to our table as dinner, just as the sun dipped below the horizon. —David Shortell, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

earthy

adjective

ˈər-thē  -t͟hē 

earthier; earthiest

1

: consisting of or resembling earth

an earthy flavor

2

a

: suggestive of plain or poor people or their ways : practical sense 4, down-to-earth

earthy problems of everyday life

b

: not polite : crude

earthy humor

earthiness noun