# dingy

/ˈdɪndʒi/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dingy
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

looking dirty, dark, and old-fashioned. You use this to describe a place that feels unpleasant or sad because it is not clean or bright.

For teachers: characterised by a dull, dirty, or discoloured appearance; lacking brightness or cheerfulness. Often used to describe interiors or urban environments that feel neglected or oppressive.

## Examples

- The old apartment has a very dingy atmosphere.
- We stayed in a dingy hotel room with thin walls and no natural light.
- The once-grand ballroom had become a dingy warehouse, its ornate ceiling soot-stained and its mirrors cracked from years of neglect.

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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.