: soot, smut, or dirt adhering to or embedded in a surface
broadly
: accumulated dirtiness and disorder
grime
transitive verb
Examples of grime in a Sentence
The windows were coated with grime.
this new product really cuts through grime
Recent Examples on the Web
Simply take a soft cloth with a mild cleaner and give them a wipe—both to remove dust and grime, and to clear off any lingering germs that might hop from person to person.
—
Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
How To Clean Linoleum Floors With Vinegar Vinegar is effective at cleaning floors and disinfecting them, but for more cleaning power, add a few squirts of dish soap to the mix, which works well at removing grease and grime from floors.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
Proper ventilation and weekly deep cleaning further reduce mold and grime, keeping your shower fresh and spotless.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026
The art and architectural restoration is absolutely stunning, having removed decades of grime — especially from the ceiling — and allowed the original design to really sparkle.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grime
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Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
How To Clean Linoleum Floors With Vinegar Vinegar is effective at cleaning floors and disinfecting them, but for more cleaning power, add a few squirts of dish soap to the mix, which works well at removing grease and grime from floors.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
Proper ventilation and weekly deep cleaning further reduce mold and grime, keeping your shower fresh and spotless.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026
The art and architectural restoration is absolutely stunning, having removed decades of grime — especially from the ceiling — and allowed the original design to really sparkle.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grime
Cite this Entry
“Grime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grime. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
grime
noun
: dirt rubbed into or covering a surface
also
: accumulated dirtiness and disorder
grime
verb
griminess
noun
ˈgrī-mē-nəs
grimy
adjective
ˈgrī-mē
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