grimy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "grimy" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means very dirty, or covered in a thick layer of dirt or grease. Example sentence: After a long day of work, her hands were grimy and she had to scrub them for a while to get them clean.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was only sporadically inhabited and had grown grimy with neglect.

The Guardian - Books

It's true: the grimy streets are slightly less grimy and the crime rate – they boast – is no worse than any other French city.

The Guardian

The commotion was surreal for a man who trains "in a grimy Rocky gym where you come out dirty and sweaty".

The Guardian - Sport

The Hotel de Lauzun on the Ile Saint-Louis, could not be further removed from the grey streets of Berlin or indeed the grimy streets of the Gare du Nord, less than half an hour's walk away.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Until the late 70s the city's cultural scene was divided, with little traffic between the art galleries, chi-chi uptown discos and grimy Lower East Side punk haunts.

The Guardian - Music

We had a grimy river, too.

The Guardian - Music

FOR locals seeking refreshment on the hot, grimy streets of Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, or for tourists lazing on the beaches of Bali, a chilled brew will soon be harder to come by.

The Economist

Last year, China consumed 43m tonnes of the grimy stuff that drives tankers and electricity generators, or one out of every 12 barrels in the world.

The Economist

In the old days, travellers left from the Zoo Station in West Berlin, a grimy suburban place where one could buy black-market Soviet roubles, along with a neat receipt informing you that bringing them into the Soviet Union was a criminal offence.

The Economist

But much of the colonel's assets are frozen and with that, his attractiveness.Some say countries that welcome such grimy guests are offering a public service.

The Economist

Portsmouth's grimy centre has also struggled to attract non-Britons.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grimy" to specifically describe a surface or object covered in a layer of dirt or grime, rather than simply stating it is "dirty". This adds more vividness and detail to your writing.

Common error

While "grimy" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "unclean" or "soiled" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "grimy" primarily functions to describe nouns, indicating that they are covered with grime or dirt. Ludwig's examples showcase its descriptive use in various contexts, such as "grimy streets" or "grimy windows", highlighting its role in adding detail to descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

36%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grimy" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective that effectively describes something covered in dirt or grime. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, it evokes a sense of uncleanliness and neglect. While versatile, it's essential to consider the connotation and opt for more formal alternatives when appropriate. Consider related phrases like "filthy" or "begrimed" for nuanced descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begrimed

Indicates being thoroughly covered with grime, similar to "grimy" but often more intense.

filthy

This alternative suggests a higher degree of dirtiness and implies a repulsive quality compared to "grimy".

grubby

Implies a casual or habitual dirtiness, often associated with children or unkempt environments.

dirty

This is a general term for uncleanliness, less specific than "grimy", which implies a surface layer of dirt.

soiled

Suggests something has been stained or dirtied, often used for fabrics or surfaces.

unclean

A formal and general term for lacking cleanliness.

foul

Suggests an unpleasant and offensive level of dirtiness, often coupled with a bad smell.

sordid

Implies moral degradation or baseness, in addition to physical dirtiness.

muddy

Specifically refers to being covered in mud, a type of dirt.

smutty

Suggests being covered in soot or other dark, dirty particles.

FAQs

How can I use "grimy" in a sentence?

You can use "grimy" to describe something covered in dirt or grime, like "The window was "grimy" with soot" or "He had "grimy" hands after working on the car".

What is a more formal alternative to "grimy"?

For more formal contexts, consider using words like "soiled", "unclean", or depending on context, describing the specific substance causing the dirtiness.

What's the difference between "grimy" and "dirty"?

"Dirty" is a general term for uncleanliness, while "grimy" specifically implies a surface covered with a layer of grime, suggesting a more ingrained or textured dirtiness. For example a shirt may be just "dirty" but a mechanic's hands may be "grimy".

Is it correct to describe a person as "grimy"?

Yes, it's acceptable to describe a person as "grimy" if they are visibly covered in dirt or grime. However, consider the connotation, as it can imply a lack of cleanliness or care.