dirtier; dirtiest
1
: not clean
All my socks are dirty.
Try not to get your clothes dirty.
dirty dishes
I can't breathe this dirty city air.
The baby has a dirty diaper.
2
a
: indecent and offensive
dirty language
b
: relating to sex in an indecent or offensive way
dirty [=pornographic] movies/magazines/pictures
I hate listening to his dirty jokes.
He has a dirty mind. [=he often thinks about sex]
3
: not fair or honest
He has a reputation as a dirty player. [=he cheats; he tries to hurt his opponents]
a criminal's dirty money [=money earned in an illegal activity]
That was a dirty trick! [=an unkind thing to do]
4
a
: very bad : deserving to be hated or regretted
War is a dirty business.
It's a dirty shame that nobody tried to help him.
That's a dirty lie!
He's a dirty liar!
b
: likely to cause shame or disgrace
That's the dirty [=shameful] little secret that the industry doesn't want you to know.
5
: difficult or unpleasant
Why do I always get stuck doing the dirty work?
It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it.
Note: To get your hands dirty is to do difficult and often unpleasant work.
6
: showing dislike or anger
She gave me a dirty look.
7
: not clear or bright in color
a dirty [=dull] red
dirties; dirtied; dirtying
: to make (something) dirty
Take off your shoes to keep from dirtying the floor.
Her fingers were dirtied with ink.
The baby just dirtied [=soiled] her diaper.
The river was dirtied [=polluted] with industrial waste.
1
: in an unfair or dishonest way
Watch out for her. She plays dirty.
He usually wins because he fights dirty.
2
: in an indecent or offensive way
talking dirty
Cite this Entry
“Dirty.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/dirty. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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