earthy

adjective

ˈər-thē  -t͟hē 

earthier; earthiest

1

a

: of, relating to, or consisting of earth

earthy creatures like worms

b

: suggestive of earth (as in texture, odor, or color)

an earthy yellow

c

: rough, coarse, or plain in taste

earthy flavors

2

a

archaic : earthly, worldly

b

: characteristic of or associated with mortal life on the earth

prefers earthy to ethereal themes

3

: suggestive of plain or poor people or their ways: such as

a

: practical, down-to-earth

earthy problems of daily life

b

: crude, gross

earthy humor

c

: plain and simple in style : unsophisticated

earthy peasant cookery

earthy decor

earthiness noun

Synonyms

• earthlike
• loamy

Examples of earthy in a Sentence

a blend of earthy colors

The wine had an earthy flavor.

Critics were impressed by the movie's earthy realism.

food made with simple, earthy ingredients

Recent Examples on the Web

Its mother-of-pearl face with earthy hues is paired with polished gold stainless steel trim for a long-lasting finish with subtle hints of contrast. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025

Imagine a flavor that’s reminiscent of both earthy carrots and herbaceous parsley, all in one leafy green package. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2025

Designers are treating them as conversation pieces to bring more texture, proportion, and detail into a room—we’re seeing bold silhouettes, statement-making legs, faceted fronts that play with light and shadow, and materials ranging from earthy mango wood to coastal cane. —Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 4 Apr. 2025

Chocolate brown loafers have been a big hitter this year, both on and off the runway (see: all the loafers in various earthy and brown tones for Gucci, Miu Miu and Acne Studios’s fall 2025 collections). —Daisy Jones, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

earthy

adjective

ˈər-thē  -t͟hē 

earthier; earthiest

1

: consisting of or resembling earth

an earthy flavor

2

a

: suggestive of plain or poor people or their ways : practical sense 4, down-to-earth

earthy problems of everyday life

b

: not polite : crude

earthy humor

earthiness noun