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

These instruments are designed to do a variety of work, from studying radiation levels at the landing site to testing out new and better ways to collect and store samples of moon dirt and rock. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 Mar. 2025

This loosening of dirt and excess oil allows for pimples and cystic acne to rise to the most surface level of the skin, encouraging a whitehead that'll take less time to clear up. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 28 Feb. 2025

Those with especially deep pockets can go all in on a costly paint sealant treatment, ceramic spray coating or even a clear protective paint film to arguably best protect the vehicle’s surface against dirt and the elements. —Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

This quality cleanser features the ideal pH level of five to avoid compromising your skin’s moisture barrier and stripping it of its natural oils while effectively removing dirt and impurities. —Denise Primbet, Glamour, 28 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for dirt

• blurt
• chert
• curt
• flirt
• girt
• hurt
• peart
• pert
• shirt
• skirt
• spurt
• squirt

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