adj
Uncommon
filthy
FIHL-thee
Filthy (adj) means Extremely dirty. Example: “His boots were filthy after the muddy hike.”
adj
1
Extremely dirty.
"His boots were filthy after the muddy hike."
"The kitchen was left filthy after the party."
"After cleaning the oven, my hands were absolutely filthy."
2
Obscene or offensive.
"He told a filthy joke that made half the room groan."
"The comedian was criticised for using filthy language in front of children."
"Her aunt gave her a disapproving look when she heard the filthy lyrics."
How to use filthy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVery dirty, or, informally, obscene.
Common pairings
filthy rich
filthy joke
filthy floor
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- filthies
- Past tense
- filthied
- Comparative
- filthier
- Superlative
- filthiest
Fill the gap
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His boots were _____ after the muddy hike.
Etymology
From Middle English filthy, formed from filth plus the adjective ending -y.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “filthy” mean?
The word “filthy” means extremely dirty. In plain terms, very dirty, or, informally, obscene.
How do you pronounce “filthy”?
“Filthy” is pronounced FIHL-thee (/ˈfɪlθi/ in IPA).
How do you use “filthy” in a sentence?
Here is “filthy” used in a sentence: “His boots were filthy after the muddy hike.”
What is the opposite of “filthy”?
The opposite of “filthy” — its antonyms — are pristine, holy and venerable.
What part of speech is “filthy”?
“Filthy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “filthy” come from?
The word “filthy” comes from Middle English. From Middle English filthy, formed from filth plus the adjective ending -y.
Is “filthy” a common word?
“Filthy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “filthy” have?
“Filthy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely dirty.
What is the difference between "filthy" and "dirty"?
"Filthy" is a stronger word than "dirty," describing something extremely or disgustingly unclean, whereas "dirty" can describe even mild or moderate uncleanliness.
What does it mean to call a joke or language "filthy"?
When applied to jokes, language, or content, "filthy" means obscene or offensive, typically referring to crude or vulgar material rather than physical dirtiness.
Is "filthy" formal or informal?
"Filthy" is an informal, emphatic word commonly used in everyday speech to intensify descriptions of dirtiness or obscenity, rather than in formal or technical writing.
