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

Several surfaces were dirty with sugar residue, grime and syrup, including a back counter, a large mixer and a toaster oven. — Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Enter the Leather Honey Leather Cleaner, which has a fragrance-free, non-toxic formula designed to gently remove dirt, oil, stains, and grime from leather of any color. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Aug. 2026

Use a vacuum, dish soap, and a soft cloth to remove dust and grime from the fan and vent cover. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2026

Make sure filter is dry, and check it for any additional grime or mildew before reinstalling. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 17 Aug. 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