grime

noun

ˈgrīm 

: soot, smut, or dirt adhering to or embedded in a surface

broadly : accumulated dirtiness and disorder

grime transitive verb

Synonyms

• dirt
• muck
• soil
• filth

Examples of grime in a Sentence

The windows were coated with grime.

this new product really cuts through grime

Recent Examples on the Web

Wipe down the doors and drawer faces of your kitchen cabinets on a weekly basis so that grease and grime don't build up and make the job tougher. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025

Port covers Over time, dust and grime can accumulate in your tablet’s ports. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025

Best For: Gently removing buildup, dirt, and grime without harsh scrubbing. —Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

While the norm is that a toner should be an astringent that removes grime and dirt while balancing skin’s pH, the best Korean toners also flood it with hydration after cleansing with a face wash. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 11 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle Dutch grime soot, mask; akin to Old English grīma mask

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for grime

• chime
• chyme
• climb
• clime
• crime
• dime
• lime
• lyme
• mime
• prime
• rhyme
• slime

Kids Definition

grime

noun

ˈgrīm 

: dirt rubbed into or covering a surface

also : accumulated dirtiness and disorder

grime verb

griminess

ˈgrī-mē-nəs

noun

grimy

ˈgrī-mē

adjective