grime

noun

ˈgrīm 

: soot, smut, or dirt adhering to or embedded in a surface

broadly : accumulated dirtiness and disorder

grime transitive verb

Synonyms

• crud
• dirt
• filth
• gunk
• muck
• smut
• soil

Examples of grime in a Sentence

The windows were coated with grime.

this new product really cuts through grime

Recent Examples on the Web

Regularly clean your laundry hamper to keep it fresh, functional, and free of hidden grime. —Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2025

Wash away stacks of gunk, grime and sticky messes with ease. —Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025

Although these situations are likely inevitable, there’s a simple solution to help achieve a thorough clean without the back-breaking labor that’s usually involved with scrubbing away dirt, grime, and soap scum. —Maggie Horton, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Pick your favorite degreasing product or natural cleaning solution, but just make sure to regularly take steps to get rid of the grime—and don't forget to get under your removable stove burners. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle Dutch grime soot, mask; akin to Old English grīma mask

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for grime

• chime
• chyme
• climb
• clime
• crime
• dime
• lime
• lyme
• mime
• prime
• rhyme
• slime

Kids Definition

grime

noun

ˈgrīm 

: dirt rubbed into or covering a surface

also : accumulated dirtiness and disorder

grime verb

griminess

ˈgrī-mē-nəs

noun

grimy

ˈgrī-mē

adjective