adj
sordid
SAW-dihd
Sordid (adj) means Morally low, distasteful, or shameful; involving dishonesty or vice. Example: “The tabloids dug up every sordid detail of the affair.”
adj
1
Morally low, distasteful, or shameful; involving dishonesty or vice.
"The tabloids dug up every sordid detail of the affair."
"It was a sordid business deal built on bribery."
2
Dirty, run-down, or squalid.
"They found the missing dog in a sordid back alley."
How to use sordid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGrubby and morally shady at once — used for both dirty places and dirty dealings.
Common pairings
sordid affair
sordid details
sordid past
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Word forms
- Comparative
- sordider
- Superlative
- sordidest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The tabloids dug up every _____ detail of the affair.
Etymology
From Latin sordidus ("dirty, filthy"), from sordes ("dirt, filth").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sordid” mean?
The word “sordid” means morally low, distasteful, or shameful; involving dishonesty or vice. In plain terms, grubby and morally shady at once — used for both dirty places and dirty dealings.
How do you pronounce “sordid”?
“Sordid” is pronounced SAW-dihd (/ˈsɔɹdɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “sordid” in a sentence?
Here is “sordid” used in a sentence: “The tabloids dug up every sordid detail of the affair.”
What is another word for “sordid”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sordid” include unclean.
What part of speech is “sordid”?
“Sordid” is an adjective.
Where does the word “sordid” come from?
The word “sordid” comes from Latin. From Latin sordidus ("dirty, filthy"), from sordes ("dirt, filth").
How many meanings does “sordid” have?
“Sordid” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: morally low, distasteful, or shameful; involving dishonesty or vice.
