Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Dirt Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🌍
Add to dictionary

dirt

[dərt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

on the ground

Soil or earth, especially when loose or compacted.

Synonyms

earth, grime, mud, soil.

Examples of usage

  • The children were playing in the dirt.
  • She wiped the dirt off her shoes.
  • The dirt road was bumpy and dusty.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

Dishonest or shameful behavior; scandalous or immoral actions.

Synonyms

gossip, muck, scandal, slander.

Examples of usage

  • He uncovered the dirt on the corrupt politician.
  • There's a lot of dirt in the entertainment industry.
Context #3 | Verb

informal

To soil with mud, dust, or dirt.

Synonyms

pollute, smudge, stain, tarnish.

Examples of usage

  • The dog dirtied the freshly washed carpet.
  • She accidentally dirtied her white dress.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'dirt'

The word 'dirt' has Old English origins, derived from the Proto-Germanic word 'durtan', meaning ground, soil. Over time, the word evolved to refer to soil or earth, as well as to describe dishonest or scandalous behavior. The use of 'dirt' to imply scandalous actions became more common in informal language. Today, 'dirt' is a versatile word that can describe both physical material on the ground and immoral behavior.

See also: dirtily, dirty.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,427 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.