grungy

adjective

grun·​gy ˈgrən-jē 

grungier; grungiest

1

: shabby or dirty in character or condition

2

: characteristic of grunge music or fashion

Synonyms

• bedraggled
• befouled
• begrimed
• bemired
• besmirched
• black
• blackened
• cruddy
• dingy
• dirty
• draggled
• dusty
• filthy
• foul
• grimy
• grotty [chiefly British]
• grubby
• mucky
• muddy
• nasty
• smudged
• smutty
• soiled
• sordid
• stained
• sullied
• unclean
• uncleanly

Examples of grungy in a Sentence

After working in the garden all day, I felt sweaty and grungy.

a grungy pair of jeans

Recent Examples on the Web

Because what Ken was doing at first was really all vibes: the all-black dress code, the grungy photography, the cryptic social media presence. —Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2024

Vanity channels ’80s rock stars in her drag, giving her looks a sharp punk edge and a grungy, yet polished, touch. —Barry Levitt, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2024

Referencing effortless muses like Kurt Cobain and Chloë Sevigny, the grungy line-up featured distressed fabrics, patchwork denim, oversized knits, lace and layered looks all well executed in an accessible riff on the Y2K aesthetic. —Gemma A. Williams, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

The title character played by Michael Keaton in both the 1988 film and the sequel, released Sept. 6, terrified audiences in the '80s in his iconic grungy black and white striped suit. —Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

grungy

adjective

grun·​gy ˈgrən-jē 

grungier; grungiest

: being in a shabby or dirty condition