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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 notes

In plain EnglishGrubby and morally shady at once — used for both dirty places and dirty dealings.

Common pairings
sordid affair sordid details sordid past

Word forms

sordider comparative, sordidest superlative

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The tabloids dug up every _____ detail of the affair.

Etymology

From Latin sordidus ("dirty, filthy"), from sordes ("dirt, filth").

Origin: Latin

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial