noun

dirtbag

DUHTBAG

Dirtbag (noun) means (informal, derogatory) A dishonest or disreputable person. Example: “He called his ex a dirtbag after the way she treated him.”

noun

(informal, derogatory) A dishonest or disreputable person.

"He called his ex a dirtbag after the way she treated him."

(informal) A climber or outdoor enthusiast who lives frugally and travels light in order to spend more time pursuing their sport.

"They spent a summer living the dirtbag life out of their van, climbing every day."

How to use dirtbag

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA term of contempt for a disreputable person — or, in outdoor sports culture, a badge of pride for someone who lives simply to chase their passion.

When to use it

The insult sense is informal and can be harsh; the climbing/outdoor sense is often used affectionately or as a self-description.

Word forms

dirtbags plural

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Etymology

Formed from "dirt" plus "bag."

Frequently asked questions

What does “dirtbag” mean?

The word “dirtbag” means (informal, derogatory) A dishonest or disreputable person. In plain terms, a term of contempt for a disreputable person — or, in outdoor sports culture, a badge of pride for someone who lives simply to chase their passion.

How do you pronounce “dirtbag”?

“Dirtbag” is pronounced DUHTBAG (/ˈdəːtbaɡ/ in IPA).

How do you use “dirtbag” in a sentence?

Here is “dirtbag” used in a sentence: “He called his ex a dirtbag after the way she treated him.”

What part of speech is “dirtbag”?

“Dirtbag” is a noun.

How many meanings does “dirtbag” have?

“Dirtbag” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: (informal, derogatory) A dishonest or disreputable person.