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

Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, or oxygen bleach effectively remove stains and grime. — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 17 July 2026

Use your hands to gently rub the surface of each leaf to remove any grit or grime. — Mike Snider, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Excessive oil can clog the cloth’s fibers and smear grime across your stainless steel, creating unsightly streaks and residue. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 15 July 2026

During Wednesday’s demonstration, the window washing drone began to elevate into the air as a high-pressure stream of water erupted from the nozzle, washing away the grime stuck on the Allapattah Goodwill Outlet’s walls. — Delia Rose Sauer, Miami Herald, 15 July 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