1
a
b
: a filthy or soiling substance (such as mud, dust, or grime)
c
archaic
: something worthless
d
: a contemptible person
treated me like dirt
2
: loose or packed soil or sand : earth
a mound of dirt
a dirt road
3
a
: an abject or filthy state : squalor
living in dirt
b
: corruption, chicanery
vowed to clean up the dirt in the city government
c
: licentiousness of language or theme
d
: scandalous or malicious gossip
spreading dirt about his ex-wife
e
: embarrassing or incriminating information
trying to dig up dirt on her political rivals
Examples of dirt in a Sentence
Pack dirt loosely around the base of the plant.
You've got some dirt on your face.
Their shoes were covered with dirt.
No amount of cleaning will get rid of all this dirt.
Recent Examples on the Web
Always clean the frames before cleaning the glass so dust and dirt don't get stuck on the panes and all particles are removed.
—
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
The problem arises when excessive dust, dirt, and hair accumulate around the coils, preventing them from performing their job adequately.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Oct. 2025
Who brought down his gun on the side of Rey’s face, knocking him sideways onto the dirt.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Instead of throwing the traditional shovelful of dirt, attendees pried bricks from the ground for a photo op to mark the start of the second phase.
—Arkansas Online, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dirt
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Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
The problem arises when excessive dust, dirt, and hair accumulate around the coils, preventing them from performing their job adequately.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Oct. 2025
Who brought down his gun on the side of Rey’s face, knocking him sideways onto the dirt.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Instead of throwing the traditional shovelful of dirt, attendees pried bricks from the ground for a photo op to mark the start of the second phase.
—Arkansas Online, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dirt
Cite this Entry
“Dirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dirt. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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