Word
earthy
US/ˈɝθi/
UK/ˈɜːθi/
Definition
adj. describing something that looks, smells, or tastes like soil or nature. It can also describe a person who is very honest and direct about basic things in life.
adj. resembling or suggestive of earth or soil in appearance, aroma, or flavour; also describes a person or their manner as direct, uninhibited, and lacking in artificiality.
Examples
“The wine has a pleasant, earthy taste.”
“The artist used earthy tones like brown and deep green to capture the forest floor.”
“Her earthy sense of humour and refusal to adopt social pretenses made her a refreshing, if occasionally blunt, presence in the corporate boardroom.”
Examples
simple
“The wine has a pleasant, earthy taste.”
contextual
“The artist used earthy tones like brown and deep green to capture the forest floor.”
complex
“Her earthy sense of humour and refusal to adopt social pretenses made her a refreshing, if occasionally blunt, presence in the corporate boardroom.”
Usage
Often used to describe sensory experiences like smell or taste, or to praise a person's grounded personality.
Real-World Examples
“The result is a ruby-red broth that is tangy, earthy and bright.” “The famous “earthy” character of traditional Sumatra and Sulawesi coffees clearly derives from a peculiar prolonged sequence of drying acts performed by traditional small producers that give the coffees a musty or mildewed character.” “Earthy coffee flavors have become a distinct and beloved category among coffee enthusiasts, often evoking a sense of grounding and depth.” “As for flavour, think nutty, chocolaty and a little earthy.” Etymology
From Middle English erthy, equivalent to earth + -y. Compare German erdig (“earthy”), Swedish jordig (“earthy”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/earthy