Grungy: meaning, definitions and examples

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grungy

 

[ ˈɡrən(d)ʒi ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

appearance, style

The term 'grungy' describes a style or aesthetic that is characterized by a deliberately unkempt, ragged, or worn-out appearance. Originating from the grunge music scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s, this look often features thrift store clothing, flannel shirts, and an overall sense of rebellion against mainstream fashion. The grungy style can evoke feelings of nostalgia and authenticity, making it appealing to many in the alternative subcultures. It can be associated with various artistic expressions, including fashion, music, and visual arts.

Synonyms

messy, ragged, tattered, unkempt

Examples of usage

  • She wore a grungy band t-shirt and ripped jeans.
  • The café had a grungy vibe with its rustic decor.
  • He transformed the room into a grungy art studio.
  • Their music has a grungy sound reminiscent of the '90s.

Translations

Translations of the word "grungy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sujo

🇮🇳 गंदा

🇩🇪 schäbig

🇮🇩 kotor

🇺🇦 брудний

🇵🇱 brudny

🇯🇵 汚い (kitanai)

🇫🇷 sale

🇪🇸 sucio

🇹🇷 kirli

🇰🇷 더러운 (deoreoun)

🇸🇦 متسخ (mutsakh)

🇨🇿 špinavý

🇸🇰 špinavý

🇨🇳 肮脏 (āngzāng)

🇸🇮 umazan

🇮🇸 óhreinur

🇰🇿 ласап (ласап)

🇬🇪 ბინძური (bindzuri)

🇦🇿 kirli

🇲🇽 sucio

Etymology

The word 'grungy' is derived from the music genre known as 'grunge', which emerged in the Pacific Northwest of the United States in the late 1980s. It is commonly associated with bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, who were integral to the genre's popularity in the early 1990s. The term is believed to have originated from the combination of 'grunge'—a term used to describe the dirty, unpolished sound and aesthetic of the music—and the suffix '-y', which is often added to words to create adjectives. 'Grunge' itself may have originated from the word 'grungy' as a way to describe the less-than-clean appearance of the musicians and their followers. Over time, the word has evolved to describe not only the aesthetic of the music scene but also a broader range of artistic and lifestyle choices that embrace a raw and unrefined style, appealing to the aspects of youth rebellion and anti-establishment sentiments.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,029, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.