—Synonyms 1. grimy, defiled. Dirty,filthy,foul,squalid refer to that which is not clean. Dirty is applied to that which is filled or covered with dirt so that it is unclean or defiled: dirty clothes. Filthy is an emphatic word suggesting something that is excessively soiled or dirty: filthy streets. Both dirty and filthy can refer to obscenity: a dirty mind, a filthy novel. Foul implies an uncleanness that is grossly offensive to the senses: a foul odor. Squalid, applied usually to dwellings or surroundings, implies dirtiness that results from the slovenly indifference often associated with poverty: a squalid tenement. 3. base, vulgar, low, shabby, groveling. 4. nasty, lascivious, lecherous. 10. rainy, foul, sloppy, disagreeable, nasty. 12. dull, dark, sullied, clouded. 15. soil, befoul, sully.
Spreading dirt; polluting: The air near the foundry was always dirty.
Apt to soil with dirt or grime: a dirty job at the garage.
Contaminated with bacteria or other infectious microorganisms.
Obscene or indecent: dirty movies; a dirty joke.
Malicious or scandalous: a dirty lie.
Unethical or corrupt; sordid: dirty politics.
Not sportsmanlike: dirty players; a dirty fighter.
Acquired by illicit or improper means: dirty money.
Slang Possessing or using illegal drugs.
Unpleasant or distasteful; thankless: Laying off workers is the dirty part of this job.
Extremely unfortunate or regrettable: a dirty shame.
Squalid or filthy; run-down: dirty slums.
Obscene or indecent: dirty movies; a dirty joke.
Malicious or scandalous: a dirty lie.
Unethical or corrupt; sordid: dirty politics.
Not sportsmanlike: dirty players; a dirty fighter.
Acquired by illicit or improper means: dirty money.
Slang Possessing or using illegal drugs.
Unpleasant or distasteful; thankless: Laying off workers is the dirty part of this job.
Extremely unfortunate or regrettable: a dirty shame.
Unethical or corrupt; sordid: dirty politics.
Not sportsmanlike: dirty players; a dirty fighter.
Acquired by illicit or improper means: dirty money.
Slang Possessing or using illegal drugs.
Unpleasant or distasteful; thankless: Laying off workers is the dirty part of this job.
Extremely unfortunate or regrettable: a dirty shame.
Unpleasant or distasteful; thankless: Laying off workers is the dirty part of this job.
Extremely unfortunate or regrettable: a dirty shame.
Expressing disapproval or hostility: gave us a dirty look.
Not bright and clear in color; somewhat dull or drab. Often used in combination: dirty-blonde hair; dirty-green walls.
Producing a very great amount of long-lived radioactive fallout. Used of nuclear weapons.
Stormy; rough: dirty weather.
v.
dirt·ied, dirt·y·ing, dirt·ies
v.
tr.
To make soiled.
To stain or tarnish with dishonor.
v.
intr.
To become soiled.
dirt'i·ly adv., dirt'i·ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives apply to what is unclean, impure, or unkempt. Dirty is the most general: dirty clothes; dirty sidewalks.
Something that is filthy is disgustingly dirty: filthy rags. Foul suggests gross offensiveness, particularly to the sense of smell: a foul stench; a foul pond. Squalid suggests dirtiness, wretchedness, and sordidness: lived in a squalid apartment. Grimy describes something ingrained or smudged with dirt or soot: grimy hands.
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime; "dirty unswept sidewalks"; "a child in dirty overalls"; "dirty slums"; "piles of dirty dishes"; "put his dirty feet on the clean sheet"; "wore an unclean shirt"; "mining is a dirty job"; "Cinderella did the dirty work while her sisters preened themselves" [ant: clean]
2.
(of behavior or especially language) characterized by obscenity or indecency; "dirty words"; "a dirty old man"; "dirty books and movies"; "boys telling dirty jokes"; "has a dirty mouth" [ant: clean]
3.
vile; despicable; "a dirty (or lousy) trick"; "a filthy traitor"
4.
spreading pollution or contamination; especially radioactive contamination; "the air near the foundry was always dirty"; "a dirty bomb releases enormous amounts of long-lived radioactive fallout" [ant: clean]
5.
contaminated with infecting organisms; "dirty wounds"; "obliged to go into infected rooms"- Jane Austen
6.
(of color) discolored by impurities; not bright and clear; "dirty" is often used in combination; "a dirty (or dingy) white"; "the muddied grey of the sea"; "muddy colors"; "dirty-green walls"; "dirty-blonde hair"
7.
(of a manuscript) defaced with changes; "foul (or dirty) copy"
8.
obtained illegally or by improper means; "dirty money"; "ill-gotten gains"
9.
expressing or revealing hostility or dislike; "dirty looks"
10.
violating accepted standards or rules; "a dirty fighter"; "used foul means to gain power"; "a nasty unsporting serve"; "fined for unsportsmanlike behavior" [syn: cheating]
11.
unethical or dishonest; "dirty police officers"; "a sordid political campaign"
12.
unpleasantly stormy; "there's dirty weather in the offing"
verb
1.
make soiled, filthy, or dirty; "don't soil your clothes when you play outside!" [ant: clean]
Dirt"y\, a. [Compar. Dirtier; superl. Dirtiest.]1. Defiled with dirt; foul; nasty; filthy; not clean or pure; serving to defile; as, dirty hands; dirty water; a dirty white. --Spenser. 2. Sullied; clouded; -- applied to color. --Locke. 3. Sordid; base; groveling; as, a dirty fellow. The creature's at his dirty work again. --Pope. 4. Sleety; gusty; stormy; as, dirty weather. Storms of wind, clouds of dust, an angry, dirty sea. --M. Arnold. Syn: Nasty; filthy; foul. See Nasty.
Dirt"y\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dirtied; p. pr. & vb. n. Dirtying.]1. To foul; to make filthy; to soil; as, to dirty the clothes or hands. 2. To tarnish; to sully; to scandalize; -- said of reputation, character, etc.
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Audio Help [dur-tee] Pronunciation Key adjective, dirt·i·er, dirt·i·est, verb, dirt·ied, dirt·y·ing, adverb 
