Dingy
ˈdɪndʒi
Definitions
Of a dull, drab, and somewhat dirty appearance; gloomy and drab.
ˈdɪndʒi
Shabby and gloomy in appearance.
The hotel room was small and dingy.
💡 Simply: Imagine a room that's not bright or clean, maybe a little dark and rundown. That's dingy! Like a sad-looking old apartment or a faded t-shirt.
👶 For kids: When something is dingy, it's a little bit dirty and not very bright or clean. Like a room that needs to be cleaned!
More Examples
After the flood, the basement had a dingy, unpleasant smell.
The old movie theatre had a dingy interior.
How It's Used
"The old house had dingy walls that needed repainting."
"The alleyway was dark and dingy, with trash overflowing the bins."
"She wore a dingy coat that had seen better days."
From Middle English *dingi*, likely related to dialectal English *ding* (to strike, to darken), or a variation on *dirty*.
The word 'dingy' has been used in written English since the late 18th century to describe a somewhat dirty or dull appearance. It has consistently carried negative connotations.
Memory tip
Think of a dark dungeon; DINGY!
Word Origin
"Dark, dull, or dirty."