Grime
/ɡraɪm/
Definitions
2 meaningsDirt, soot, or other filth adhering to a surface.
/ɡraɪm/
Dirt or filth adhering to a surface.
The windows were covered in grime, making it difficult to see outside.
💡 Simply: Grime is like the yucky stuff that builds up on things when you don't clean them for a while. Imagine a really dusty old car – that's covered in grime!
👶 For kids: Grime is yucky dirt.
More Examples
He spent hours scrubbing the grime from the kitchen tiles.
The city's buildings were stained with decades of grime.
How It's Used
"The old car was covered in a thick layer of grime."
"Industrial grime can be difficult to remove from machinery."
To cover or become covered with grime or dirt; to soil or make dirty.
/ɡraɪm/
To cover or become covered with grime.
His face grimed with sweat and dirt after a long day of work.
💡 Simply: To grime means something gets really, really dirty. Like, if you play outside in the mud for a long time, your clothes might grime.
👶 For kids: To grime is to get really, really dirty.
More Examples
The machinery grimed over time due to lack of maintenance.
The city streets quickly grimed after the rain.
How It's Used
"The mechanic's hands grimed during the repair."
"The exposed brick grimed rapidly in the polluted air."
Idioms & expressions
down and dirty
Characterized by or involving unpleasant or morally dubious things.
"They uncovered a lot of down and dirty secrets during the investigation."
From Middle English *grime*, possibly related to the Old English *grīma* (mask, helmet), ultimately of Proto-Germanic origin. The meaning evolved to encompass dirt, soot, and accumulated filth.
Historically, 'grime' was used to describe various types of soiling, including soot, dust, and other types of dirt. Often associated with industrial settings and neglect.
Memory tip
Think of the dirt and filth that accumulates over time.