grimy

adjective

ˈgrī-mē 

grimier; grimiest

: full of or covered with grime : dirty

wiped his grimy hands

griminess noun

Synonyms of grimy

• filthy
• dusty
• dirty
• blackened
• stained
• muddy
• black

Examples of grimy in a Sentence

this mirror is so grimy you can barely see your reflection in it

Recent Examples on the Web

His comments illustrated the unique burden of the hip-hop superstar, straining to stay in touch with the grimy realism of his earliest rhymes. — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Vancouver, for all its celebrity hangouts and major studio and streamer film shoots, is also home to a grimy downtown eastside neighborhood where getting off addictions and out of homelessness for many remains a constant struggle. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Given the grimy, gory nature of writer-director Paul Greengrass’ historical film, Garfield had to rely on his go-to ways to unwind. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026

Written with grimy, enlivening frankness — and an ability to dig into moral ambiguity — every character scrambles to get a leg up. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for grimy

• slimy