dirty
55 synonyms and 2 antonyms for dirty, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Unclean or covered in dirt, grime, or other unpleasant matter.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use dirty
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English dirti, an alteration of dritti, built from dirt plus the adjective ending -y.
Full origin of dirty →Frequently asked questions
What does “dirty” mean?
The word “dirty” means unclean or covered in dirt, grime, or other unpleasant matter. In plain terms, physically unclean, or (figuratively) morally wrong, obscene, or corrupt.
How do you pronounce “dirty”?
“Dirty” is pronounced DUR-tee (/ˈdɝti/ in IPA).
How do you use “dirty” in a sentence?
Here is “dirty” used in a sentence: “His boots were dirty after the hike through the mud.”
What is another word for “dirty”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dirty” include assoil, beclart, bedaub, bedirty, imbrue (especially with blood) and bedizen.
What is the opposite of “dirty”?
The opposite of “dirty” — its antonyms — are clean and make clean.
What part of speech is “dirty”?
Depending on how it is used, “dirty” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “dirty” come from?
The word “dirty” comes from Middle English. From Middle English dirti, an alteration of dritti, built from dirt plus the adjective ending -y.
Is “dirty” a common word?
“Dirty” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between dirty and filthy?
Both mean unclean, but filthy is far stronger. Dirty covers anything not clean, from lightly dusty to muddy. Filthy suggests extreme, disgusting dirt — thick grime or squalor. A pair of shoes can be dirty after a walk; they are filthy only when caked in mud. Filthy is dirty taken to an extreme.
What is the opposite of dirty?
The opposite of dirty is clean — free from dirt, grime, and marks. Related antonyms include spotless, pristine, and immaculate, which describe something not just clean but perfectly so. Where dirty means covered in unpleasant matter, clean means that matter has been removed and the surface is fresh.
Does dirty have meanings beyond being unclean?
Yes. Besides physical dirt, dirty can mean unfair or dishonest, as in a dirty trick or dirty tactics. It can describe rude or offensive language, and in sport a 'dirty' player breaks the rules. The common thread is something tainted or improper, whether a surface, a deed, or a reputation.
What is an example of dirty?
Muddy boots after a hike, greasy hands after fixing a car, a grimy window, or dishes left unwashed in the sink are all dirty. Anything marked, stained, or coated in grime, dust, or mess fits. Children playing outside usually come home dirty — covered in the day's dirt and grass stains.