What does "grimy" mean?
Stained or covered with grime.
Grimy
/ˈɡɹaɪmi/ adj, slang
adj, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Stained or covered with grime.
- Grammar: grimy is listed as adj, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: grubby, begrimed, besmirched, blotchy.
- Useful contrasts: grimeless, clean, ethical.
- Usage evidence: A grimy fly can soil the entire wall and a small, dirty little act can ruin the entire proceedings.
How to use "grimy"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "grimy" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "grimy" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "grimy" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "grimy" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "grimy" is acting as adj, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "grubby" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "grimy", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Adjective
- 1 Stained or covered with grime.
"Then came a maid with hand-bag and shawls, and after her a tall young lady. She stood for a moment holding her skirt above the grimy steps,[…], and the light of the reflector fell full upon her."
- 2 From the urban musical genre called grime.
"Riffs from older songs seem to be more popular, as only two from the past decade made it into the top 20. They were Muse's Plug In Baby, at 11, and The White Stripes' grimy Seven Nation Army at 15."
- 3 Morally corrupt, malicious, vile, or selfish; base or dirty; rotten. slang
"When I was 18 I was grimy af. I wouldn't share my food with you even if you were starving and about to die."
- 4 Of a beat or song, darkly atmospheric; having affinities with the style of the East Coast hip hop of the 90s, especially that of New York. slang
"Pro Era are a group of young rappers (and artists) straight from the streets of Brooklyn, New York. They're headed by Joey Bada$$ who is definitely the most well known figure but as a group they stand alone as some of the top emcees and producers coming through. They've been hailed as the return of hip hop, especially the gritty, grimey New York hip hop we all know and love"
Adjective
- 1 thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot wordnet
Example
"A grimy fly can soil the entire wall and a small, dirty little act can ruin the entire proceedings."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "grimy"?
Common synonyms include: grubby, begrimed, besmirched, blotchy, corrupt, cruddier.
How do you use "grimy" in a sentence?
A grimy fly can soil the entire wall and a small, dirty little act can ruin the entire proceedings.
How do you pronounce "grimy"?
Pronounced /ˈɡɹaɪmi/.
Etymology
From grime + -y.