: 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
Then suddenly, every speck of pollen, dust and grime is impossible to ignore.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026
Pay extra attention to the corners and edges, where grime tends to collect the most.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
There is nothing quite like opening a window on a warm day, only to notice a layer of grime coating your screens.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Prevent dirt and grime buildup by cleaning the floors regularly.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grime
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.
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026
Pay extra attention to the corners and edges, where grime tends to collect the most.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
There is nothing quite like opening a window on a warm day, only to notice a layer of grime coating your screens.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Prevent dirt and grime buildup by cleaning the floors regularly.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 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 27 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
