Dirty

/ˈdɜːrti/

Meaning & Definition

noun
The dirty state or quality; filth.
He did not want to live in the dirty of the city.
verb
To make dirty; to soil.
The children dirtied their clothes while playing in the mud.
adjective
Unpleasant or offensive, especially in a moral or ethical sense; indecent.
The film was criticized for its dirty jokes.
In a state of moral corruption or disrepute.
The politician had a dirty reputation due to several scandals.
Not clean; covered or marked with an unclean substance.
His hands were dirty after working on the car.
Soiled or stained.
The dirty dishes piled up in the sink.

Etymology

Middle English: from Old Norse 'drit.'

Common Phrases and Expressions

dirty laundry:
Unpleasant personal matters, often referring to scandals.
dirty work:
Unpleasant or dishonest work that others do not want to do.
dirty mind:
A person who thinks or talks about sexual matters in an inappropriate way.
dirty hands:
To engage in unethical or immoral actions to achieve a goal.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

Dirty cash
Money acquired through illegal activities.
Dirty dog
A person who is deceitful or treacherous.
Dirty look
A facial expression that shows disapproval or annoyance.
Dirty dancing
A provocative form of dancing that involves close physical contact.