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

Painted Surfaces Steam is great at removing grease and grime. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 May 2025

What Would Ease His Belly Pain? ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2, Episode 4: Seattle Slew Use a soft rag, first dry and then damp, to remove loose dust and grime. —Clark Hodgin, New York Times, 2 May 2025

For wood or wicker items, use warm water and mild dish soap to remove dust and grime. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2025

The balm-to-oil formula effortlessly melts waterproof makeup, sunscreen, and daily grime. —Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 25 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