# filthy

/ˈfɪɫθi/ (US) · /fˈɪlθi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/filthy
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. extremely dirty

adjective · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: covered with or containing an extreme amount of filth or grime.

- The children came home with filthy clothes after playing in the mud all afternoon.
- The inspectors found the restaurant's kitchen in a filthy state, with layers of grease coating the ventilation fans and food preparation surfaces.

### 2. obscene or rude

adjective · CEFR B2

very offensive, rude, or showing bad behavior.

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

- He was punished for using filthy language in the classroom.
- The comedian's routine was criticized for being unnecessarily filthy, relying on crude stereotypes rather than clever observation.

### 3. very unpleasant

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- It was a filthy night with heavy rain and strong winds.
- The manager was in a filthy mood all morning, snapping at anyone who dared to ask him a question about the budget.

### 4. extremely rich

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

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

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

- He became filthy rich after selling his tech company to a larger rival.
- While the workers struggled to pay their rent, the company's founders were becoming filthy rich from the stock market flotation.

### 5. angry or annoyed

adjective · CEFR C2 · Slang · British English · Dialect

feeling very angry or upset with someone.

For teachers: experiencing or expressing significant anger, resentment, or annoyance.

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

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

## Examples

- Wash your hands because they are absolutely filthy.
- The hikers returned from the trail with filthy boots and mud-splattered clothes after the heavy rain.
- Despite the grand architecture of the city center, the narrow back alleys remained filthy and neglected, filled with the refuse of a thousand daily lives.

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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.