Dirties: meaning, definitions and examples

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dirties

 

[ ˈdɜːrtiːz ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

present tense

To dirty something means to make it unclean or soiled. This can refer to causing a surface to be covered with dirt or stains, or it can refer to making a situation morally impure.

Synonyms

mess up, pollute, soil, stain

Examples of usage

  • She dirties her clothes while playing outside.
  • Don't dirty the kitchen floor with your shoes.
  • The children dirtied the carpet with paint.
  • He dirties his hands while working on the car.
Context #2 | Noun

slang usage

In a informal context, 'dirties' can refer to inappropriate or indecent material in the form of jokes, stories, or images. This usage often implies a sense of humor or risqué content.

Synonyms

filth, obscenity, risque

Examples of usage

  • He shared some dirties that made everyone laugh.
  • The show was filled with dirties that were not suitable for kids.
  • She was known for her collection of dirties.
  • The comedian's routine includes several dirties.

Word origin

The word 'dirty' comes from the Old English word 'dyrtig', meaning 'soiled, unclean'. It has Germanic roots, related to similar words in Old Norse and Dutch, referring to something that is stained or impure. Over time, the term evolved to encompass not only physical cleanliness but also moral and ethical cleanliness, contributing to its use in contemporary slang. The transformation of 'dirty' into 'dirties' reflects a natural linguistic evolution, where [the noun form, explores the idea of multiple states of filth or issues]. This showcases how language adapts to social contexts and changing norms, particularly with the rise of informal communication in the 20th and 21st centuries.