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

Step 13: Vacuum And Mop The Floor Sweep or vacuum the kitchen floor to remove any loose dirt or debris, and then mop the floor with a heavy-duty cleaner, making sure to clean any spills or stains. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 14 June 2025

Whether your teen wears makeup or not, cleansing helps wash dirt and oil that might irritate the skin. —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 12 June 2025

You can get rid of residue caused by dirt, makeup and grime to make skin look refreshed and healthy. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 June 2025

Its easy-to-clean metal tabletop prevents unsightly ground-in dirt and stains, and each leg is secured with a protective non-skid rubber foot pad to keep it firmly in place on hard surfaces like decks and patios. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 June 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