Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

filth

noun
Save Word
\ ˈfilth How to pronounce filth (audio) \

Definition of filth

1 : foul or putrid matter especially : loathsome dirt or refuse
2a : moral corruption or defilement
b : something that tends to corrupt or defile
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about filth

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for filth

Synonyms

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Examples of filth in a Sentence

He emerged from the cellar covered in filth. the filth of the slaughterhouse living in filth and squalor
See More
Recent Examples on the Web Usually bustling with traffic and tourists, many of Tagaytay's restaurants and coffee shops were closed, its main road covered in volcanic filth and mud. — Anchorage Daily News, "Lava gushes from Philippine volcano as ash spreads to Manila," 13 Jan. 2020 Why not blend deception with filth into one major game? — Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, "Athletics win 90th, Sean Manaea and Jesús Luzardo could be a potential wild card one-two punch," 15 Sep. 2019 Since the tweet, fans have been flooding Gaga with shame for dragging the art to filth, and are even offering to refresh her memory. — Rania Aniftos, Billboard, "Lady Gaga Threw Shade at Her Album 'ARTPOP' & Her Fans Are Really Upset About It," 11 Nov. 2019 At a second Houston restaurant, inspectors observed filth and black residue in the ice machine, the records show. — Marcy De Luna, Houston Chronicle, "Black residue in ice machine, condemned soup highlight Houston restaurant violations (Oct. 14-20)," 24 Oct. 2019 Comments sections have always been a pit of filth and degradation, the leading edge in the vast electronic apparatus of self-moronization. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, "A Host of Squalid Oligarchs," 3 Oct. 2019 That means each 2 tablespoon-peanut butter sandwich would only have about eight insect fragments and a teensy tiny bit of rodent filth. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, "Bugs, rodent hair and poop: How much is legally allowed in the food you eat every day?," 4 Oct. 2019 Not to be crass but #IL lawmaker talking to me about feces, feathers & filth fell victim to culprit during our #MorningInsiders interview. — Georgia Slater, PEOPLE.com, "Illinois Lawmaker Rallying to Control Local Pigeon Problem Gets Pooped on During Interview," 17 Sep. 2019 Naturally, there is the long war against filth, and the policing of the home’s thresholds against contamination from outside. — B.t. | Delft, The Economist, "In a new exhibition, Pieter de Hooch steps out of Vermeer’s shadow," 16 Oct. 2019

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.

See More

First Known Use of filth

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for filth

Middle English, from Old English fȳlth, from fūl foul

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about filth

Time Traveler for filth

Time Traveler

The first known use of filth was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Statistics for filth

Last Updated

19 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Filth.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filth. Accessed 24 January 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for filth

filth

noun
How to pronounce filth (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of filth

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

See the full definition for filth in the English Language Learners Dictionary

filth

noun
\ ˈfilth How to pronounce filth (audio) \

Kids Definition of filth

: disgusting dirt

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on filth

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for filth

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with filth

Spanish Central: Translation of filth

Nglish: Translation of filth for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of filth for Arabic Speakers

Comments on filth

What made you want to look up filth? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

euphoria

Listen to the pronounciation of euphoria

a feeling of well-being or elation

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Intact Latin Quiz

  • roman tablet
  • What did focus mean in Latin?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games