dirty 1 of 3

adjective

ˈdər-tē How to pronounce dirty (audio)
Definition of dirtynext
1
as in filthy
not clean after working in the factory all day, his clothes are very dirty

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2
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society some radio stations refused to play the song because of the dirty lyrics

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3
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions they were unknowingly sailing into dirty weather

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4
as in foul
not being in accordance with the rules or standards of what is fair in sport the school is known for the dirty football it plays

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5
as in nasty
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency accused the other campaign of playing dirty tricks

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6
as in cheap
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust laying off longtime employees was a dirty way for the company to reduce labor costs and save money

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7
as in corruptible
open to improper influence and especially bribery a movie about a dirty cop paid to protect a mafioso

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dirty

2 of 3

verb

as in to stain
to make dirty she dirtied her new sneakers when she splashed in the puddle

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dirty

3 of 3

adverb

as in illegally

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dirty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dirty are filthy, foul, nasty, and squalid. While all these words mean "conspicuously unclean or impure," dirty emphasizes the presence of dirt more than an emotional reaction to it or, figuratively, stresses meanness or despicableness.

a dirty littered street
don't ask me to do your dirty work

When is it sensible to use filthy instead of dirty?

The words filthy and dirty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, filthy carries a strong suggestion of offensiveness and typically of gradually accumulated dirt that begrimes and besmears. Figuratively, it can also describe disgusting obscenity.

a stained greasy floor, utterly filthy
filthy street language

When could foul be used to replace dirty?

The meanings of foul and dirty largely overlap; however, foul implies extreme offensiveness and an accumulation of what is rotten or stinking; it can also describe, for example, loathsome behavior.

a foul-smelling open sewer
a foul story of lust and greed

How does the word nasty relate to other synonyms for dirty?

Nasty applies to what is actually foul or is repugnant to one expecting freshness, cleanliness, or sweetness; in practice, however, nasty is often weakened to the point of being no more than a synonym of unpleasant or disagreeable. When used figuratively, nasty implies a peculiarly offensive unpleasantness.

it's a nasty job to clean up after a sick cat
had a nasty fall
his answer gave her a nasty shock
a stand-up comedian known for nasty humor

Where would squalid be a reasonable alternative to dirty?

While the synonyms squalid and dirty are close in meaning, squalid adds to the idea of dirtiness and filth that of slovenly neglect. Distinctively, its figurative use implies sordidness as well as baseness and dirtiness.

squalid slums
engaged in a series of squalid affairs

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of dirty
Adjective
The walls of huts on dusty landscapes in the Lost Legends are weathered, characters' clothing is visibly dirty from jetting around the galaxy and helmets are battle damaged. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 This dirty sheriff’s a little rattled, having been properly sized up by a private investigator he’s been told to leave alone (as evidenced by the quiet turning of his watch to the fore of his wrist). — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 July 2026
Verb
The adventurous actress dirties up her frock and face to play the village pariah, who reeks of fish and would be no man’s idea of a suitable wife, except perhaps the one-eyed bum who sleeps in the town square. — Peter Debruge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026 When stormwater dirtied by road runoff, failing septic tanks and fertilizer sullied crystal-clear rivers and lakes, and nobody cared. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dirty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirty
  1. filthy
  2. obscene
  3. turbulent
  4. foul
  5. nasty
  6. cheap
  7. corruptible
  8. stain
Adjective
  • Dozens of people had spent almost a year living outside, filthy and exhausted, and for what?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • From shabby apartments to art experiments to filthy needles—with echoes of Patti Smith and Rebecca Makkai—Adler conjures an era of sorrow borne by too many, too young.
    — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026
Definition of filthy
Adjective
  • These stories were reprinted in Scottish and English botanical texts, and Henrietta would have known about the obscene ideas connected with the mushroom.
    — Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 9 July 2026
  • Jackson then allegedly drove over into another lane and swerved at the victim, while using an obscene hand gesture.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • The story of Stan Lee’s turbulent last years is finally getting the documentary treatment.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026
  • Shane O’Neill This was a late addition to the annals of 1968, one of the most turbulent years in American history.
    — Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • Donis said multiple people reached out with complaints of a foul smell emanating from the river.
    — Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
  • Once opened, check for foul odors, cloudiness, or spurting liquid when opening.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 13 July 2026
Definition of foul
Adjective
  • Lyndsy Fonseca, rapper Russ, Tom Cavanagh, Hunter King, Joseph Lee Anderson and Rob Riggle star in the indie film, which concerns a group of campers who run into a nasty, giant, prehistoric spider.
    — William Earl, Variety, 15 July 2026
  • At that point, a nasty nearly $7 million a day ticking fee takes effect that will find Paramount on the hook for hundreds of millions out to WBD shareholders each month until the matter gets regulatory approval.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 13 July 2026
Definition of nasty
Adjective
  • The cheapest ticket available as of Wednesday was going for $7,451.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • But that mandate has always been balanced with the desire for economic expansion, which is boosted by, oftentimes, cheaper labor and manufacturing costs from importing goods overseas.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 July 2026
Definition of cheap
Adjective
  • Trump has tried to curtail mail-in voting by arguing the ballots easily corruptible, despite casting a ballot by mail himself in March.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 29 June 2026
  • Beef’s whole thing is finding the weak, corruptible center of all its characters, and Isaac jumps into that project with enthusiasm.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 May 2026
Definition of corruptible
Verb
  • The only part of her person not stained are the white circles around her eyes.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026
  • Drinking water after coffee can help reduce acidity and wash away staining compounds.
    — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 10 July 2026
Definition of stain

Phrases Containing dirty

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dirt-poor
dirty
dirtying
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Cite this Entry

“Dirty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirty. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dirty

Nglish: Translation of dirty for Spanish Speakers

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