adj.
Pronunciation: ' d ə r-t ē
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: dirt · i · er ; -est
Date: 14th century
1 a : not clean or pure < dirty clothes> b : likely to befoul or defile with dirt < dirty jobs> c : contaminated with infecting organisms < dirty wounds> d : containing impurities < dirty coal>
2 a : morally unclean or corrupt: as (1) : INDECENT , VULGAR < dirty jokes> <a dirty movie> (2) : DISHONORABLE , BASE <a dirty trick> (3) : UNSPORTSMANLIKE < dirty players> b : acquired by disreputable or illegal means : ILL-GOTTEN < dirty money> c : disagreeable, distasteful, or objectionable but usually necessary (as in achieving a desired result) <hired a thug to do their dirty work>
3 a : ABOMINABLE , HATEFUL <war is a dirty business> b : highly regrettable <a dirty shame> c : likely to cause disgrace or scandal < dirty little secrets>
4 : FOGGY , STORMY < dirty weather>
5 a of color : not clear and bright : DULLISH < dirty blond> b : characterized by a husky, rasping, or raw tonal quality < dirty trumpet tones>
6 : conveying ill-natured resentment <gave him a dirty look>
7 : having considerable fallout < dirty bombs>
– dirt · i · ly \ ' d ə r-t ə -l ē \ adverb
– dirt · i · ness \ ' d ə r-t ē -n ə s \ noun
synonyms DIRTY , FILTHY , FOUL , NASTY , SQUALID mean conspicuously unclean or impure. DIRTY emphasizes the presence of dirt more than an emotional reaction to it <a dirty littered street>. FILTHY carries a strong suggestion of offensiveness and typically of gradually accumulated dirt that begrimes and besmears <a stained greasy floor, utterly filthy >. FOUL implies extreme offensiveness and an accumulation of what is rotten or stinking <a foul -smelling open sewer>. NASTY applies to what is actually foul or is repugnant to one expecting freshness, cleanliness, or sweetness <it's a nasty job to clean up after a sick cat>. In practice, nasty is often weakened to the point of being no more than a synonym of unpleasant or disagreeable <had a nasty fall> <his answer gave her a nasty shock>. SQUALID adds to the idea of dirtiness and filth that of slovenly neglect < squalid slums>. All these terms are also applicable to moral uncleanness or baseness or obscenity. DIRTY then stresses meanness or despicableness <don't ask me to do your dirty work>, while FILTHY and FOUL describe disgusting obscenity or loathsome behavior < filthy street language> <a foul story of lust and greed>, and NASTY implies a peculiarly offensive unpleasantness <a stand-up comedian known for nasty humor>. Distinctively, SQUALID implies sordidness as well as baseness and dirtiness <engaged in a series of squalid affairs>.