grubby

UK: /ˈgrʌbi/ US: /ˈgrʌbi/ ,(grub′ē)

Inflections of 'grubby' (adj):

grubbier

adj comparative

grubbiest

adj superlative

Inflections of 'grubby' (n): npl: grubbies

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

grub•by¹ /ˈgrʌbi/   adj., -bi•er, -bi•est. 

1. dirty;
   sloppy and filthy:
   grubby work clothes.
2. contemptible;
   ignoble:
   grubby political tricks.

grub•bi•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

grub•by¹  (grub′ē), adj., -bi•er, -bi•est. 

1. dirty;
   slovenly:
   children with grubby faces and sad eyes.
2. infested with or affected by grubs or larvae.
3. contemptible:
   grubby political tricks.

• grub + -y¹ 1605–15

grub′bi•ly, adv. 
grub′bi•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. . grimy, unkempt, messy, filthy, bedraggled.

grub•by²  (grub′ē), n., pl. -bies. 

1. Fish a small sculpin, Myxocephalus aenaeus, inhabiting waters off the coast of New England.

• origin, originally uncertain

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

grubby / ˈɡrʌbɪ/ adjective ( -bier, -biest)

1. dirty; slovenly
2. mean; beggarly
3. infested with grubs

ˈgrubbily adverb

ˈgrubbiness noun