dirty, filthy, foul, nasty, squalid mean conspicuously unclean or impure. dirty emphasizes the presence of dirt more than an emotional reaction to it. filthy carries a strong suggestion of offensiveness and typically of gradually accumulated dirt that begrimes and besmears. DIRTY definition: soiled with dirt; foul; unclean. See examples of dirty used in a sentence. DIRTY meaning: 1. marked with dirt, mud, etc., or containing something such as pollution or bacteria: 2. unfair…. Learn more. Synonyms: dirty, filthy, grimy, grubby, squalid These adjectives apply to what is unclean, impure, or unkempt: dirty clothes; filthy rags; grimy hands; an old grubby stove; a squalid apartment. Definition of dirty adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. Dirty, filthy, foul, squalid refer to that which is not clean. Dirty is applied to that which is filled or covered with dirt so that it is unclean or defiled: dirty clothes. Dec 19, 2025 · dirty (comparative dirtier, superlative dirtiest) Unclean; covered with or containing unpleasant substances such as dirt or grime. synonyms, antonyms quotations " don't dirty your clothes when you play outside!"; Derived forms: dirtier, dirtied, dirtying, dirtiest, dirties. Morally unclean or impure; base; low; despicable; groveling: as, a dirty fellow; a dirty job or trick. Repulsive to sensitive feeling; disagreeable; disgusting. He has a reputation as a dirty player. [=he cheats; he tries to hurt his opponents] a criminal's dirty money [=money earned in an illegal activity] That was a dirty trick! [=an unkind thing to do]