ENGLISH
REFERENCE

filth

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈfɪɫθ// UK //fˈɪlθ// filth Archaic Slang Vulgar

n. extreme dirt or waste that is very disgusting to look at or touch. It can also describe things like movies or books that people find very offensive or rude.

n. disgusting dirt or refuse; also used figuratively to describe material considered obscene or morally corrupt. Often carries a strong pejorative tone.


SIMPLE

The old house was covered in layers of filth.

CONTEXTUAL

After the flood, the basement was filled with mud and filth that took weeks to clean out.

COMPLEX

The investigative report exposed the literal filth of the overcrowded tenements and the metaphorical filth of the political corruption that allowed such conditions to persist.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English filth, from Old English fȳlþu, from Proto-West Germanic *fūliþu, equivalent to foul + -th (abstract nominal suffix).

Usage

Uncountable; frequently used with 'covered in' or 'layers of'.

Idioms1 entry

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