dirt
Dirt (noun) means Soil, earth, or any unclean substance on a surface. Example: “The children came in covered in dirt after playing outside.”
How to use dirt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLoose soil or grime, or (informally) scandalous information about a person.
Word forms
dirted past tense, dirts plural, dirts singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The children came in covered in _____ after playing outside.
Etymology
From Old Norse drit, meaning "excrement" — the word originally referred to dung before shifting to its modern sense of "soil" or "filth."
Related words
Rhymes for dirt
See all rhymes for dirt →Frequently asked questions
What does “dirt” mean?
The word “dirt” means soil, earth, or any unclean substance on a surface. In plain terms, loose soil or grime, or (informally) scandalous information about a person.
How do you pronounce “dirt”?
“Dirt” is pronounced durt (/dɝt/ in IPA).
How do you use “dirt” in a sentence?
Here is “dirt” used in a sentence: “The children came in covered in dirt after playing outside.”
What part of speech is “dirt”?
“Dirt” is a noun.
Where does the word “dirt” come from?
The word “dirt” comes from Old Norse.
Is “dirt” a common word?
“Dirt” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “dirt” have?
“Dirt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: soil, earth, or any unclean substance on a surface.
What is the difference between "dirt" and "soil"?
Both can mean earth, but "soil" is the more neutral or scientific word, especially for the ground in which plants grow. "Dirt" is more casual and often suggests something unclean, such as dirt on your shoes or on a surface.
What is the difference between "dirt" and "dust"?
"Dust" is fine, dry particles that settle on surfaces or float in the air. "Dirt" is broader and can mean soil, mud, or any unclean substance on a surface, often heavier and more visible than dust.
Is "dirt" countable or uncountable?
"Dirt" is an uncountable (mass) noun, so you say "some dirt" or "a bit of dirt" rather than "a dirt" or "dirts." To count it, use a phrase like "a speck of dirt" or "a pile of dirt."
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include dirt: