filth

noun

1
: foul or putrid matter
especially : loathsome dirt or refuse
2
a
: moral corruption or defilement
b
: something that tends to corrupt or defile

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 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.
Angry residents Residents and business owners took to the mic to speak of the drug use, dealing, filth, and related violence that have become common in their neighborhoods. Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 5 Sep. 2025 In all, 12 dogs were inside, 10 of them puppies and two mama dogs, all emaciated, all living in filth, all in a single home, the Nashville Humane Association said. Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 29 Aug. 2025 Some of these people are ranting and raving, threatening violence against strangers or exhibiting tendencies to hurt themselves, others are quietly living in filth or unclothed or unshod in frigid temperatures. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2025 For the last few weeks, my TikTok feed has been mired in country music filth. Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for filth

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English fȳlth, from fūl foul

First Known Use

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Filth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filth. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

filth

noun
1
: disgusting dirt or waste
2
: something that tends to disgust, offend, or dirty

More from Merriam-Webster on filth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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