grungy

adjective

grun·​gy ˈgrən-jē 

grungier; grungiest

1

: shabby or dirty in character or condition

2

: characteristic of grunge music or fashion

Synonyms of grungy

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

Examples of grungy in a Sentence

After working in the garden all day, I felt sweaty and grungy.

a grungy pair of jeans

Recent Examples on the Web

Elordi is passable in his grungy younger iteration and ludicrous as the adult Heathcliff, back from his glow-up like a looksmaxxing skincare influencer wearing a cunty little earring. —Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 20 Feb. 2026

For snowboarders, Board Bin in Ketchum is a welcome throwback to the grungy days of indie snowboard and skate shops. —Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2026

When filmmakers have tried to skew slightly earthier, as in Jacques Rivette’s 1985 version, the result is a sort of grungy take on traditional Gothic tropes. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026

The first 10 minutes of the film are set in Norms, where a grungy man staggers in with a bomb, ranting about artificial intelligence. —Fielding Buck, Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for grungy

• bungee
• spongy

Kids Definition

grungy

adjective

grun·​gy ˈgrən-jē 

grungier; grungiest

: being in a shabby or dirty condition