# crud

/ˈkɹəd/ (US) · /kɹˈʌd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/crud
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

dirty, sticky, or unpleasant stuff that builds up on things — like mud, grease, or dust. You use it when something feels gross and needs a good clean.

For teachers: a layer or accumulation of dirt, residue, or unwanted matter on a surface. By extension, something regarded as worthless, inferior, or contemptible.

## Examples

- I clean the crud off my bike wheels.
- After the hike, he scrubs the crud from his boots before entering the house.
- Years of kitchen crud coat the old stove, a sticky archive of meals cooked in a hurry and wiped away too fast.

## Synonyms

dirt, grime, filth

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.