adj
squalid
SKWO-lihd
Squalid (adj) means Extremely dirty, neglected, and unpleasant, especially describing living conditions. Example: “The refugees were housed in squalid, overcrowded camps.”
adj
1
Extremely dirty, neglected, and unpleasant, especially describing living conditions.
"The refugees were housed in squalid, overcrowded camps."
"The apartment was left in a squalid state after months of neglect."
2
Morally low or degrading.
"The scandal exposed a squalid web of bribery and lies."
How to use squalid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFilthy and neglected, or by extension, morally shabby and degrading.
Common pairings
squalid conditions
squalid slum
squalid affair
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Word forms
- Plural
- squalids
- Comparative
- squalider
- Superlative
- squalidest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The refugees were housed in _____, overcrowded camps.
Etymology
From Latin squalidus, "rough" or "dirty," from squalere, "to be filthy."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for squalid
See all rhymes for squalid →Frequently asked questions
What does “squalid” mean?
The word “squalid” means extremely dirty, neglected, and unpleasant, especially describing living conditions. In plain terms, filthy and neglected, or by extension, morally shabby and degrading.
How do you pronounce “squalid”?
“Squalid” is pronounced SKWO-lihd (/ˈskwɒlɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “squalid” in a sentence?
Here is “squalid” used in a sentence: “The refugees were housed in squalid, overcrowded camps.”
What part of speech is “squalid”?
“Squalid” is an adjective.
Where does the word “squalid” come from?
The word “squalid” comes from Latin. From Latin squalidus, "rough" or "dirty," from squalere, "to be filthy.".
How many meanings does “squalid” have?
“Squalid” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely dirty, neglected, and unpleasant, especially describing living conditions.
