# grime

/ˈɡɹaɪm/ (US) · /ɡɹˈaɪm/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grime
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a style of electronic dance music that started in London. It has fast beats and often features people rapping over dark, heavy sounds.

For teachers: a genre of electronic dance music originating in London in the early 2000s, characterized by a tempo of approximately 140 bpm and elements of hip hop and UK garage. Often features aggressive or rapid-fire lyrical delivery over syncopated, bass-heavy production.

## Examples

- He listens to grime while he works out.
- The underground club became famous for hosting the city's most influential grime artists every Friday night.
- Emerging from the housing estates of East London, grime evolved from a localized pirate radio phenomenon into a globally recognized genre that redefined the landscape of British urban music.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the musical genre; can be used as a modifier in noun phrases like 'grime artist' or 'grime scene'.

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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.