grimy

UK: /ˈgraɪmi/ US: (grī′mē)

Inflections of 'grimy' (adj):

grimier

adj comparative

grimiest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

grim•y  (grī′mē), adj., grim•i•er, grim•i•est. 

1. covered with grime;
   dirty:
   I shook his grimy hand.

• grime + -y¹ 1605–15

grim′i•ly, adv. 
grim′i•ness, n. 

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

grime /graɪm/   n. [uncountable]

1. dirt or soot clinging to or embedded in a surface.

grim•y, adj., -i•er, -i•est. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

grime  (grīm), n., v., grimed, grim•ing. 
n. 

1. dirt, soot, or other filthy matter, esp. adhering to or embedded in a surface.

v.t. 

2. to cover with dirt;
   make very dirty;
   soil.

• 1250–1300; Middle English grim; apparently special use of Old English grīma mask, to denote layer of dust; compare dialect, dialectal Dutch grijm