Grimy
/ˈɡraɪmi/
Definitions
Covered with or characterized by grime; dirty.
/ˈɡraɪmi/
Covered with dirt, soot, or grime.
His hands were grimy after working in the garage all day.
💡 Simply: Think of a really dirty hand after fixing your bike or playing outside. That's grimy! It's when things have dirt or yuck on them.
👶 For kids: Dirty, like your hands after playing outside in the mud!
More Examples
The old, abandoned building had grimy windows.
After the rain, the sidewalks became grimy.
She scrubbed the grimy pots until they were shiny.
How It's Used
"The child's face was grimy after playing in the mud."
"The walls of the factory were grimy from years of accumulated coal dust."
"Grime under the fingernails can harbor bacteria."
From Middle English *grim*, meaning 'dirty' or 'foul,' possibly related to Old English *grīma*, meaning 'mask' or 'visor', reflecting something that obscures or stains. The 'y' ending transforms the adjective.
The word 'grimy' has been used to describe physical uncleanliness since the 14th century, appearing in various literary works depicting manual labor or harsh environments.
Memory tip
Imagine someone with a 'grim' face covered in dirt - grimy!
Word Origin
"dirty, foul"