grime

noun

: 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
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.
Stick to a regular cleaning schedule each week to prevent buildup of dust, grime, and dirt. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025 Lowry Tunnel in Minneapolis And, MnDOT will be washing a summer’s worth of dirt, grime and debris from the I-94 Lowry Hill Tunnel on edge of downtown Minneapolis early next week. Maya Bell, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025 The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025 The buildup of oils, environmental grime, and product residue can clog follicles, trigger flakes, and affect growth. Larry Stansbury, Essence, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grime

Word History

Etymology

Middle Dutch grime soot, mask; akin to Old English grīma mask

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grime was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grime. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

grime

noun
: dirt rubbed into or covering a surface
also : accumulated dirtiness and disorder
grime verb
griminess
ˈgrī-mē-nəs
noun
grimy
ˈgrī-mē
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on grime

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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