dirt

noun

ˈdərt 

1

a

: excrement

b

: a filthy or soiling substance (such as mud, dust, or grime)

c

archaic : something worthless

d

: a contemptible person

treated me like dirt

2

: loose or packed soil or sand : earth

a mound of dirt

a dirt road

3

a

: an abject or filthy state : squalor

living in dirt

b

: corruption, chicanery

vowed to clean up the dirt in the city government

c

: licentiousness of language or theme

d

: scandalous or malicious gossip

spreading dirt about his ex-wife

e

: embarrassing or incriminating information

trying to dig up dirt on her political rivals

Synonyms

• clod
• earth
• ground
• mold
• soil

Examples of dirt in a Sentence

Pack dirt loosely around the base of the plant.

You've got some dirt on your face.

Their shoes were covered with dirt.

No amount of cleaning will get rid of all this dirt.

Recent Examples on the Web

Carpets are a home’s No.1 dirt trap and need thorough regular vacuuming. —Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024

As for the frequency, cleaning them after each workout is ideal—especially if your earbuds come in contact with sweat, sunscreen, or dirt. —Julia Ries, Outside Online, 14 Nov. 2024

During Game 2 of the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers saw their $700 million investment lying on the dirt writhing in pain after an awkward slide. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024

Virginia Proctor, born in Prescott, first flew solo in a Luscombe in 1963, taking off from a dirt strip in Wynne. —Kimberly Dishongh, arkansasonline.com, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English drit, from Old Norse; akin to Old English drītan to defecate

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing dirt

• dirt bike
• dirt cheap
• dirt farmer
• dirt floor
• dirt-poor
• dirt road
• hit/strike pay dirt
• hit the dirt
• in the dirt
• pay dirt
• treat (someone) like dirt

Kids Definition

dirt

noun

ˈdərt 

1

: a filthy or soiling substance (as mud, dust, or grime)

2

: loose or packed earth : soil

a mound of dirt

3

a

: corruption sense 2

b

: indecent language : obscenity

4

: harmful gossip

stop spreading dirt about him