dirt
durt
Dirt (noun) means Soil, earth, or any unclean substance on a surface. Example: “The gardener knelt in the dirt and planted rows of small onions.”
noun
1
Soil, earth, or any unclean substance on a surface.
"The gardener knelt in the dirt and planted rows of small onions."
"The children came in covered in dirt after playing outside."
"Wipe the dirt off your boots before coming inside."
2
(informal) Embarrassing or damaging information about someone.
"Reporters hoped to find some dirt on the mayor before the election."
"She refused to share any dirt about her former colleagues with the press."
"The tabloids were desperate to dig up dirt on the actor."
How to use dirt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLoose soil or grime, or (informally) scandalous information about a person.
Common pairings
covered in dirt
dig up dirt
dirt road
kick up dirt
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Word forms
- Plural
- dirts
- Third person singular
- dirts
- Past tense
- dirted
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The gardener knelt in the _____ and planted rows of small onions.
Etymology
From Old Norse drit, meaning "excrement" — the word originally referred to dung before shifting to its modern sense of "soil" or "filth."
Synonyms
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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."
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