grime

noun

ˈgrīm 

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

broadly : accumulated dirtiness and disorder

grime transitive verb

Synonyms

• crud
• dirt
• filth
• gunk
• muck
• smut
• soil

Examples of grime in a Sentence

The windows were coated with grime.

this new product really cuts through grime

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, steam only needs water heated to a high temperature to loosen up dirt and grime, plus sanitize surfaces. —Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2025

Watch out for slippery roads: The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. —Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2025

This two-step routine makes sure every last bit of grime is gone. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 1 Apr. 2025

Amazon shoppers are also a fan of this electric spin scrubber that effortlessly tackles bathroom grime without any muscle work. —Clara McMahon, People.com, 30 Mar. 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