dirt
n.-
1 unclean substance (n.) A2 Elementaryany substance like mud, dust, or grease that makes something look messy or unclean.
any foul or filthy substance, such as mud, dust, or excrement, that soils a surface or object.
ExampleHe wiped the dirt off his shoes before walking into the house.
ExampleThe industrial machinery was encrusted with a thick layer of dirt and grease that required specialized solvents to remove.
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2 soil or earth (n.) A2 Elementary American Englishthe loose substance on the ground that plants grow in.
loose earth or soil, particularly when considered as a substance rather than a specific location.
ExampleThe children were playing in the dirt with their toy trucks.
ExampleThe gardener mixed organic compost into the dry dirt to ensure the new saplings would have enough nutrients to survive the winter.
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3 scandalous information (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informalsecret or unpleasant information about someone that could damage their reputation.
scandalous or damaging information, rumors, or secrets concerning a person's private life or past actions.
ExampleThe tabloid newspaper tried to find some dirt on the famous actor.
ExampleDuring the heated election campaign, both candidates hired private investigators to dig up dirt on their opponents' financial histories.
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4 mining material (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical Scienceearth or gravel that contains valuable minerals before it is washed or processed.
in placer mining, the earth, gravel, or mixed material before it has been washed to extract gold or other minerals.
ExampleThe miners spent all day shoveling dirt into the sluice box to find gold.
ExampleThe efficiency of the operation depended on the volume of auriferous dirt the crew could process before the seasonal rains flooded the valley.
- paydirt
- gravel
- Noundirt
- Adjectivedirty