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

Moreover, all that grease, grime, and bacteria can make knobs harder to grip. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 17 Sep. 2026

It’s been such an integral birthplace for so many grime tunes, and played a big role in jungle and garage music. — Thomas Smith, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2026

There’s a reason people love to joke about how high-maintenance things like white cars and white dogs are—anything white tends to show every bit of dirt, grime, and buildup in a way that darker colors simply don’t. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2026

Here’s how to keep yours free of grime, mold and other harmful bacteria, according to microbiology experts. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 10 Sep. 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