filth

noun \ ˈfilth \

Definition of filth

1 :foul or putrid matter; especially :loathsome dirt or refuse

2 a :moral corruption or defilement

b :something that tends to corrupt or defile

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Examples of filth in a Sentence

He emerged from the cellar covered in filth.
the filth of the slaughterhouse
living in filth and squalor

Recent Examples of filth from the Web

But the filth is no match for the Robert B. Creel Water Treatment Facility in Morgantown.

— Washington Post, "Water filtration system in West Virginia among the elite," 7 Aug. 2017
I've always been incredibly inspired by her drag, persona and her own activism and would love to talk filth with the queen of it.

— patrick crowley, Billboard, "34 Drag Performers Around the World Sound Off on the Influence of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' & More," 28 June 2017
On the third day of Firefly—so hot not even a double shower could wash away the second skin of sweat/sunscreen/bug spray/miscellaneous filth one accrues at a camping-heavy music festival—

— bridget dufour, Marie Claire, "Alisa Xayalith of The Naked and Famous Did the Exact Opposite of What Was Expected of Her," 26 June 2017
The decisive slider was pure filth, to the back foot.

— dennis manoloff, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Indians stumble vs. Twins after stellar trip: DMan's World," 25 June 2017
Officers found eight pit bulls living in filth, with no water or means to cool down, police spokesman Lt.

— jesse leavenworth, courant.com, "Police Remove Suffering Dogs From East Hartford Home," 19 June 2017
Wright, coming off his junior season, was taken filth overall during the MLB Draft on Monday.

— daniel boyette, AL.com, "Alabamian Kyle Wright reportedly signing $7 million deal with Braves," 16 June 2017
Back Bay at this hour is nothing less than a great cesspool into which is daily deposited all the filth of a large and constantly increasing population …

— betsy mason, National Geographic, "How Boston Made Itself Bigger," 13 June 2017
The stench is meant to evoke filth, gangrene and the barnyard, Gibbons Backus said.

— jonathan hunley, Washington Post, "Civil War hospital at Ben Lomond adds realistic audio to multisensory experience," 28 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'filth.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of filth

Middle English, from Old English fȳlth, from fūl foul

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

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filth Synonyms

Synonyms

crud, dirt, grime, gunk, muck, smut, soil

Related Words

scum, sewage, sewerage, slime, sludge, swill; dross, dust [British], garbage, junk, litter, refuse, rubbish, scrap, trash, waste; crock [dialect], soot; dinginess, dirtiness, dustiness, filthiness, foulness, griminess, grubbiness, nastiness, squalidness, uncleanliness, uncleanness

Near Antonyms

cleanliness, cleanness

FILTH Defined for English Language Learners

filth

noun

Definition of filth for English Language Learners

: a large and very unpleasant amount of dirt : very dirty conditions
: something that is very offensive or disgusting and often is about sex

FILTH Defined for Kids

filth

noun \ ˈfilth \

Definition of filth for Students

:disgusting dirt

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filth

Definition of filth

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Examples of filth in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of filth

filth Synonyms

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FILTH Defined for English Language Learners

filth

Definition of filth for English Language Learners

FILTH Defined for Kids

filth

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