grime
6 synonyms for grime, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A layer of dirt, soot, or grease that has built up and is hard to remove.
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.
How to use grime
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
caked in grime
a grime artist
scrub off the grime
Etymology
From Middle English grim, meaning soot or dirt on the face, tracing back to an Old English word for "mask" — dirt-covered skin was once poetically compared to wearing a mask.
Full origin of grime →Frequently asked questions
What does “grime” mean?
The word “grime” means a layer of dirt, soot, or grease that has built up and is hard to remove. In plain terms, ground-in dirt and grease, or the British music genre born out of London's underground scene.
How do you pronounce “grime”?
“Grime” is pronounced grym (/ɡɹaɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “grime” in a sentence?
Here is “grime” used in a sentence: “Years of grime coated the old factory windows.”
What part of speech is “grime”?
“Grime” is a noun.
Where does the word “grime” come from?
The word “grime” comes from Old English. From Middle English grim, meaning soot or dirt on the face, tracing back to an Old English word for "mask" — dirt-covered skin was once poetically compared to wearing a mask.
How many meanings does “grime” have?
“Grime” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a layer of dirt, soot, or grease that has built up and is hard to remove.
