dirty laundry

noun

: private matters whose public exposure brings distress and embarrassment

called also dirty linen

Examples of dirty laundry in a Sentence

The company is trying to keep its dirty laundry from being aired in public.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

One functions as a toiletry bag, two can fit your outfits, two are best for undergarments and smaller clothes, and the rest are for accessories, shoes and dirty laundry. —

Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2024 The zippered bottom section is ideal for stashing dirty laundry or shoes. —

Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 16 Oct. 2024 Step 2: Sort by Color Sort the dirty laundry by color. —

Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2024 Years after the accident, when Andie went missing, Naomi and Max received instructions to lie to the police, to say that Sal left the party at 10:30 p.m. — or else this mystery person would air their dirty laundry. —

Fletcher Peters, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dirty laundry

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of dirty laundry was in 1967

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dirty laundry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dirty%20laundry. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 14 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

lexical

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

dirty laundry

noun

Examples of dirty laundry in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near dirty laundry

Cite this Entry