grubby
5 synonyms and 2 antonyms for grubby, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Dirty or unwashed, especially in a grimy, unpleasant way.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use grubby
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
grubby hands
grubby little secret
Etymology
From grub plus -y, originally suggesting something infested with grubs, later coming to mean simply dirty.
Full origin of grubby →Frequently asked questions
What does “grubby” mean?
The word “grubby” means dirty or unwashed, especially in a grimy, unpleasant way. In plain terms, dirty and grimy, or shady and disreputable when talking about behavior or deals.
How do you pronounce “grubby”?
“Grubby” is pronounced GRUH-bee (/ˈɡɹʌbi/ in IPA).
How do you use “grubby” in a sentence?
Here is “grubby” used in a sentence: “The kids came in from the garden with grubby hands.”
What part of speech is “grubby”?
“Grubby” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “grubby” have?
“Grubby” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: dirty or unwashed, especially in a grimy, unpleasant way.
