# grimy

/ˈɡɹaɪmi/ (US) · /ɡɹˈaɪmi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grimy
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

covered in dirt, oil, or grime. It describes something that is very dirty and hard to clean.

For teachers: covered with or consisting of dirt, oil, or grime. Often used to describe urban environments or industrial settings.

## Examples

- The old factory floor was grimy and sticky.
- After working in the coal mines all day, the workers returned home with grimy faces and soot-stained clothes.
- The city's narrow alleyways were lined with grimy brick walls that had not seen a proper cleaning in decades, reflecting the industrial history of the district.

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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.