dirtiness 1 of 4

noun

Definition of dirtinessnext
1
as in dustiness
the state or quality of being dirty the health inspector took the manager to task over the general dirtiness of the restaurant

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2
as in grossness
the quality or state of being obscene the incontestable dirtiness of the film demands an adult rating

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dirty

2 of 4

adjective

ˈdər-tē How to pronounce dirty (audio)
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

3 of 4

verb

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

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dirty

4 of 4

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 dirtiness
Noun
When assessing a hat's dirtiness, look for visible stains or sweat marks and treat only those areas with a soft, damp cloth and detergent rather than washing the entire hat. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026 However, its effectiveness in thoroughly cleaning depends on the degree of dirtiness. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Sure, Russell has a little dirty fun in doing so — OK, a lot of dirty fun. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 That same dock features Vortex Wash, which automatically cleans the robot’s dirty wiping pads in about a minute. — Matthew Huff, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
Use the negative space beneath for handy shoe storage that doesn’t dirty the wood surfaces. — Tiffany Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Feb. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for dirtiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirtiness
  1. dinge
  2. grossness
  3. staining
  4. vulgarity
  5. sordidness
  6. crudeness
  7. suggestiveness
  8. coarseness
Noun
  • An earnest, has-a-costume-for-everything kind of guy, Daub is allergic to the greige and the dinge.
    — Sandra Upson, Wired, 18 Jan. 2021
Definition of dinge
Noun
  • But Paddy’s isn’t Sudz, and the Gang’s efforts to soft-pedal their antics to be more in line with those mainstream bars devolved into typical Sunny-style hostility and off-putting grossness.
    — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
  • All your Dad has to do is fill it and drink—the microfilter membrane will do the rest by removing chlorine odors, dirt, bacteria, and any other grossness floating around in there.
    — Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026
Definition of grossness
Noun
  • Bleach is genuinely good at killing mildew and lifting the biological staining that makes white grout look gray.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Dylan Gould, director of design at Cargo Workshop, says clients often have concerns about marble staining, etching, or not holding up well.
    — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of staining
Noun
  • Lower courts upheld the ban, finding the veiled vulgarity of the phrase allows schools to ban it.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The diaries—particularly in Julian Sachs’s unexpurgated version, which captures Pavese’s alternating earnestness, archness, and pungent vulgarity—pose something of a problem.
    — Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of vulgarity
Noun
  • The only other person in the 21st century who might’ve had as uncanny an ability to look beneath the sordidness and sorrow of red carpets and walks of fame to find truth and even poetry might be David Lynch.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 July 2026
  • Fennell continues to have a gift for exposing the sordidness of money and power.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of sordidness
Noun
  • There’s some rudeness, aggressive conversations, and crudeness, but nothing too over the top.
    — Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 4 Aug. 2025
Definition of crudeness
Noun
  • The Averys also lack the deep, metaphysical suggestiveness of the Gottliebs.
    — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The bucket quickly went viral for its not-safe-for-work suggestiveness.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Definition of suggestiveness
Noun
  • Most denim blends using hemp only include 20 or 30 percent of the fiber due to its coarseness.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • But many seemingly urbane texts also benefited from the intellectual and moral coarseness of their times.
    — Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of coarseness

Phrases Containing dirtiness

Browse Nearby Words

dirtily
dirtiness
dirt-poor
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Cite this Entry

“Dirtiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirtiness. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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