grime

noun

Synonyms of grimenext
: 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.
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, 22 Dec. 2025 Dip a rag or bristled brush in a detergent solution and use it to lift dirt, grime, pollen, mold, and mildew from outdoor chairs, tables, and umbrellas. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 2025 This is a good trick for the parts of the screen that have more buildup of bugs and grime. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025 Raime were early cornerstones of Blackest Ever Black, a goth-hearted label that had cast a seductive shadow over the 2010s underground, but the duo had recently pivoted to weightless grime. Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 16 Dec. 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 26 Dec. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!