Definitions

dirty

[dur-tee] / ˈdɜr ti /

ADJECTIVE

soiled, unclean

Synonyms

STRONGEST

contaminated crummy disheveled dusty filthy greasy grimy messy muddy murky nasty polluted sloppy stained unkempt

STRONG

bedraggled begrimed defiled disarrayed foul fouled smudged spattered spotted sullied

WEAK

cruddy dreggy dungy grubby grungy icky lousy mucky scummy scuzzy slatternly slimy slovenly sooty squalid straggly undusted unhygienic unlaundered unsanitary unsightly unswept untidy unwashed yucky

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bright clean clear ordered orderly sterile

STRONG

neat

WEAK

spotless

ADJECTIVE

obscene, pornographic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

coarse filthy nasty

STRONG

base blue low mean unclean

WEAK

contemptible despicable immoral impure indecent lewd off-color ribald risqué salacious scatological scurvy smutty sordid squalid unchaste uncleanly vile vulgar

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clean decent

STRONG

moral

WEAK

nice pure spotless upright

ADJECTIVE

dishonest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

sleazy

STRONG

cheating corrupt crooked foul

WEAK

below the belt deceitful double-dealing shabby shady shifty sneaky sordid underhanded unethical unscrupulous untruthful

Antonyms

STRONG

clean good honest moral pure

WEAK

nice spotless upright

VERB

cause to be soiled

Synonyms

STRONGEST

blacken smear smudge sully

STRONG

begrime blotch blur coat contaminate corrupt debase defile discolor encrust foul grime muddy mung pollute smoke smutch spatter spoil spot stain sweat taint tar tarnish

WEAK

besoil make dusty make impure mess up

Antonyms

STRONG

clean cleanse clear flourish grow improve purify sterilize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I just think fast fashion, we don't need it. We were all brought up in jumble sale clothes and it doesn't matter if they get dirty that way either."

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Sister Maria nags the girls about dirty rooms and overloaded washing machines, and conducts room checks twice a month.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

It’s refreshing in the way a dirty martini is refreshing.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

This does smell quite dirty, and we look forward to learning more about it.

From Slate • Jun. 6, 2026

I set her stuffed puppy next to her, then I take a shower, put on the creepy pajamas, and run my dirty clothes down to Lou Ann.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

dirty

Example Sentences

Related Words