dirty 1 of 3

adjective

ˈdər-tē How to pronounce dirty (audio)
Definition of dirtynext
1
as in filthy
not clean after working in the factory all day, his clothes are very dirty

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2
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society some radio stations refused to play the song because of the dirty lyrics

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3
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions they were unknowingly sailing into dirty weather

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4
as in foul
not being in accordance with the rules or standards of what is fair in sport the school is known for the dirty football it plays

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5
as in nasty
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency accused the other campaign of playing dirty tricks

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6
as in cheap
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust laying off longtime employees was a dirty way for the company to reduce labor costs and save money

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7
as in corruptible
open to improper influence and especially bribery a movie about a dirty cop paid to protect a mafioso

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dirty

2 of 3

verb

as in to stain
to make dirty she dirtied her new sneakers when she splashed in the puddle

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dirty

3 of 3

adverb

as in illegally

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dirty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dirty are filthy, foul, nasty, and squalid. While all these words mean "conspicuously unclean or impure," dirty emphasizes the presence of dirt more than an emotional reaction to it or, figuratively, stresses meanness or despicableness.

a dirty littered street
don't ask me to do your dirty work

When is it sensible to use filthy instead of dirty?

The words filthy and dirty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, filthy carries a strong suggestion of offensiveness and typically of gradually accumulated dirt that begrimes and besmears. Figuratively, it can also describe disgusting obscenity.

a stained greasy floor, utterly filthy
filthy street language

When could foul be used to replace dirty?

The meanings of foul and dirty largely overlap; however, foul implies extreme offensiveness and an accumulation of what is rotten or stinking; it can also describe, for example, loathsome behavior.

a foul-smelling open sewer
a foul story of lust and greed

How does the word nasty relate to other synonyms for dirty?

Nasty applies to what is actually foul or is repugnant to one expecting freshness, cleanliness, or sweetness; in practice, however, nasty is often weakened to the point of being no more than a synonym of unpleasant or disagreeable. When used figuratively, nasty implies a peculiarly offensive unpleasantness.

it's a nasty job to clean up after a sick cat
had a nasty fall
his answer gave her a nasty shock
a stand-up comedian known for nasty humor

Where would squalid be a reasonable alternative to dirty?

While the synonyms squalid and dirty are close in meaning, squalid adds to the idea of dirtiness and filth that of slovenly neglect. Distinctively, its figurative use implies sordidness as well as baseness and dirtiness.

squalid slums
engaged in a series of squalid affairs

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dirty
Adjective
By Emily Tannenbaum November 22, 2023: Sweeney and Powell whisper dirty pickup lines at each other in a TikTok video that has over 24 million views. November 14, 2023: Powell opens up about the speculation in an interview with Men's Health. — Glamour, 30 Mar. 2025 Nobody wants their toothbrush bristles touching dirty surfaces or falling into unsanitary places. — Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
Instead, Walz seems to have little to say about factory farming dirtying the state’s waterways. — Kenny Torrella, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018 Garments can be dirtied again by the elements if air-dried outside. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2024
Adverb
The campaign gained intensity when photos circulated on the Internet of Ya Ya looking dirty and gaunt (by panda standards) with patchy fur. — Ashraf Khalil and Didi Tang, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2023 During the Cold War, Washington routinely played dirty to protect the liberal order. — Victor Cha, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2022 See All Example Sentences for dirty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dirty
  1. filthy
  2. obscene
  3. turbulent
  4. foul
  5. nasty
  6. cheap
  7. stain
  8. dusty
Adjective
  • Chicagoans will have no one to hold accountable at the ballot box when the buses don’t arrive and rail stations are filthy and crime-ridden.
    — Forrest Claypool, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The plastic waste China received was filthy, much of it too dirty to be cleaned, shredded, and turned into new plastic.
    — Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of filthy
Adjective
  • Presented at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, in 1976 as part of a group show of artists’ books, Santoro’s volume was immediately censored as obscene and offensive.
    — Paola Ugolini, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Cybertruck owners have shared displays of hostility from other motorists on a Facebook page, including vulgar notes left on their vehicles and obscene gestures directed at them from passing cars.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • Losses weren’t quite as dire as on Thursday for media and tech stocks, but the morning still signaled a glum end to a turbulent week.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
  • From playing a spirited college student in All American: Homecoming to navigating the turbulent world of Snowfall, Williams has mastered the art of transformation.
    — Shelby Stewart, Essence, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • With one out and a runner on first, Alves read the ball and sprinted from his position at third base for a diving catch in foul territory for the second out.
    — Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2025
  • The play occurred in the sixth inning when the ball was hit into foul territory.
    — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of foul
Adjective
  • His other performances included as Robert De Niro’s nasty henchman in Michael Mann’s Heat (1995); as Marlon Brando’s insane assistant in John Frankenheimer’s The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996) and as the suave crook Simon Templar in Phillip Noyce’s The Saint (1997).
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The veteran forward took a nasty fall with 3:21 left in the fourth quarter, landed hard on his tailbone, and spent minutes down on the court surrounded by teammates and coaches.
    — C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of nasty
Adjective
  • Numerous territories across the globe including in Europe, Australia and Canada have solidified these as streaming services take advantage of their cheaper production hubs.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2025
  • In the early 1970s, the widespread availability of cheap, preformed fiberglass pools meant the rate of young children drowning soared.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of cheap
Verb
  • Many shoppers even added DIY elements, such as staining it, incorporating trellises for climbing vines, and casters for easy moving.
    — Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Also, ensure there is no debris or dirt stuck to the wheels or base of the machine that could stain the carpet when rolled on it.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of stain
Adjective
  • The petrified bones of extinct horses, ground sloths, cheetahs and bears have been uncovered from the dusty layers of time exposed here.
    — Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
  • This can get unsanitary since the dust can circulate in the air of your home, and for some models, dusty coils can affect how efficiently your fridge cools.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of dusty

Phrases Containing dirty

Browse Nearby Words

dirt-poor
dirty
dirtying
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Cite this Entry

“Dirty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dirty. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

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