full of dirt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "full of dirt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is dirty or covered in dirt, often referring to physical objects or environments. Example: "After the storm, the garden was full of dirt, making it difficult to see the flowers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Female Voice: Didn't get full of dirt.

Cornell University

I think this house's mouth is full of dirt.

The New Yorker

and it didn't get full of dirt and then I got used to it.

Cornell University

Now, on this new page, I think this house's mouth is full of dirt.

The New Yorker

But Britain is full of dirt and Cameron's done his bit for sordidness this past year.

The New York Times

It now has raging inflow and my eyes are quickly full of dirt.

Independent

And as they opened the hatch, we all got a face full of dirt.

MIT Technology Review

Spring came and went, and the streets' tree pits remained full of dirt.

The New York Times

(Ages 2 to 5) What's more delightful than a day full of dirt?

The New York Times

Anywhere else, the governor might turn over a few shovels full of dirt.

The New York Times

By James Galvin The New Yorker, July 5 , 1993P. 66 I think this house's mouth is full of dirt.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a setting or character, use the phrase "full of dirt" to vividly convey a sense of neglect, hardship, or natural environment.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "full of dirt" in highly formal writing where more precise or technical language might be more appropriate. Instead, opt for terms like "contaminated", "polluted", or more specific descriptions of the substance present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full of dirt" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its state of being covered or containing dirt. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "full of dirt" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that is covered in or contains a lot of dirt. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is descriptive, often conveying a sense of uncleanliness or neglect. While appropriate in a range of contexts from news to informal writing, it's advisable to opt for more precise or technical language in formal academic or scientific settings. Alternatives such as "covered in grime" or "laden with soil" can provide subtly different shades of meaning. This makes "full of dirt" a versatile phrase with clearly defined appropriate use cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

covered in grime

Focuses on a layer of dirt or filth covering a surface.

laden with soil

Emphasizes the weight and abundance of the dirt.

filthy with earth

Highlights the uncleanliness caused by the dirt.

smothered in mud

Suggests a thick, wet covering of dirt.

befouled with grime

Implies a degradation or corruption due to the dirt.

coated in filth

Describes a layer of dirt or something offensive covering a surface.

grimy

A single adjective describing something covered in dirt or grime.

dusty

Suggests a covering of fine particles of dirt or other matter.

unclean

A general term for not clean, which could include being covered in dirt.

soiled

Suggests something has been made dirty, especially by contact.

FAQs

How can I use "full of dirt" in a sentence?

You can use "full of dirt" to describe something that is literally containing or covered in dirt, such as "The flower pot was "full of dirt" and ready for planting", or figuratively, to suggest something is unpleasant or corrupt.

What are some synonyms for "full of dirt"?

Alternatives to "full of dirt" include "covered in grime", "laden with soil", or "filthy with earth", each conveying a slightly different nuance of being dirty or soiled.

Is it ever appropriate to use "full of dirt" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "full of dirt" might be too informal for certain formal contexts. In those cases, consider using more precise language such as "contaminated with sediment" or "containing particulate matter."

What's the difference between "full of dirt" and "dirty"?

"Dirty" is a general adjective describing something that is not clean. "Full of dirt" is more specific, suggesting that the object or place contains a substantial amount of dirt. For example, a child's hands might be just "dirty", while a construction site is likely to be ""full of dirt"".