: 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
Through the grime, though, Payton could squint and see progress.
—
Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
An ultrasonic bath lifts away the grime that collects from everyday handling, especially in textured or engraved metal.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
Wipe every cabinet, inside and out, to remove dirt and grime.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grime
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Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
An ultrasonic bath lifts away the grime that collects from everyday handling, especially in textured or engraved metal.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
Wipe every cabinet, inside and out, to remove dirt and grime.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grime
Cite this Entry
“Grime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grime. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
grime
noun
: dirt rubbed into or covering a surface
also
: accumulated dirtiness and disorder
grime
verb
griminess
noun
ˈgrī-mē-nəs
grimy
adjective
ˈgrī-mē
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