grime

noun

ˈgrīm 

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

broadly : accumulated dirtiness and disorder

grime transitive verb

Synonyms of grime

• dirt
• muck
• soil
• filth

Examples of grime in a Sentence

The windows were coated with grime.

this new product really cuts through grime

Recent Examples on the Web

His cheeks are streaked with sooty grime. —Danielle Paquette The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Feb. 2026

Finish by wiping down the entire warmer with a damp cloth to remove dust and grime. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026

Microfiber cloths pick up dust, hair, and bacteria much better than paper towels, and removing the toilet seat provides better access to tight crevices that tend to collect hidden grime. —Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026

Stay ahead of the grime by regularly degreasing after cooking. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026

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