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filthy

adj.
US //ˈfɪɫθi// UK //fˈɪlθi// filthy
  1. 1 extremely dirty (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    very, very dirty; covered in mud, grease, or waste.

    covered with or containing an extreme amount of filth or grime.

    Example

    The children came home with filthy clothes after playing in the mud all afternoon.

    Example

    The inspectors found the restaurant's kitchen in a filthy state, with layers of grease coating the ventilation fans and food preparation surfaces.
  2. 2 obscene or rude (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    very offensive, rude, or showing bad behavior.

    morally foul, obscene, or offensive in a way that violates social standards of decency.

    Example

    He was punished for using filthy language in the classroom.

    Example

    The comedian's routine was criticized for being unnecessarily filthy, relying on crude stereotypes rather than clever observation.
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  1. 3 very unpleasant (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    used to describe very bad weather or a very bad mood.

    extremely unpleasant or disagreeable; frequently used to describe inclement weather or a foul temperament.

    Example

    It was a filthy night with heavy rain and strong winds.

    Example

    The manager was in a filthy mood all morning, snapping at anyone who dared to ask him a question about the budget.
  2. 4 extremely rich (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    having a huge amount of money, often in a way that seems unfair.

    possessing an excessive or offensive amount of wealth; almost exclusively used in the collocation 'filthy rich'.

    Example

    He became filthy rich after selling his tech company to a larger rival.

    Example

    While the workers struggled to pay their rent, the company's founders were becoming filthy rich from the stock market flotation.
  3. 5 angry or annoyed (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang British English Dialect

    feeling very angry or upset with someone.

    experiencing or expressing significant anger, resentment, or annoyance.

    Example

    She was absolutely filthy with him for forgetting their anniversary again.

    Example

    The coach was filthy at the team's lack of discipline during the final quarter of the match.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'with' or 'at'.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is primarily found in Australian and some British dialects; learners should use 'furious' or 'livid' in general international contexts.
Origin

From Middle English filthy, filthi, equivalent to filth + -y.

Idioms2 entries

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