dingy
Dingy (adjective) means Dark, dull, and lacking in cleanliness or brightness. Example: “They rented a dingy little apartment above the laundromat.”
How to use dingy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDull, grubby, and run-down looking.
Don't confuse with "dinghy" (a small boat) — they're pronounced quite differently.
Word forms
dingier comparative, dingier comparative, dingiest superlative, dingiest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They rented a _____ little apartment above the laundromat.
Etymology
From a dialectal English word meaning "dirty", likely related to Old English "dung".
Rhymes for dingy
See all rhymes for dingy →Frequently asked questions
What does “dingy” mean?
The word “dingy” means dark, dull, and lacking in cleanliness or brightness. In plain terms, dull, grubby, and run-down looking.
How do you pronounce “dingy”?
“Dingy” is pronounced DIHN-jee (/ˈdɪn.d͡ʒi/ in IPA).
How do you use “dingy” in a sentence?
Here is “dingy” used in a sentence: “They rented a dingy little apartment above the laundromat.”
What part of speech is “dingy”?
“Dingy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “dingy” come from?
The word “dingy” comes from Old English. From a dialectal English word meaning "dirty", likely related to Old English "dung".