# grubby

/ˈɡɹəbi/ (US) · /ɡɹˈʌbi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grubby
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

dirty, messy, or unclean. You use this to describe things that have marks, stains, or a general lack of cleanliness.

For teachers: dirty, soiled, or unclean. Often carries a connotation of being messy or lacking in personal hygiene.

## Examples

- The children came home with grubby faces after playing in the mud.
- He noticed that the grubby fingerprints on the window were still visible despite the rain.
- The detective's report noted that the suspect's grubby appearance and lack of a fixed address made him an unlikely candidate for the high-profile corporate theft.

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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.