grime

American  

[grahym] / graɪm /

noun

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

2. a style of music influenced by rap, ragga, etc., and characterized by lyrics and imagery that reference the dark side of urban life.

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verb (used with object)

grimed, griming

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

grime British  

/ ɡraɪm /

noun

1. dirt, soot, or filth, esp when thickly accumulated or ingrained

2. a genre of music originating in the East End of London and combining elements of garage, hip-hop, rap, and jungle

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verb

1. (tr) to make dirty or coat with filth

Other Word Forms

• griminess noun
• grimy adjective
• ungrimed adjective

Etymology

Origin of grime

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English grim; apparently special use of Old English grīma “mask,” to denote layer of dust; compare dialectal Dutch grijm

Example Sentences

Every surface is covered in a layer of grime and graffiti, and the air is thick and sticky, like chowder soup.

From Literature

In addition to grime, gore and disdain for governments, the ragtime gangsters of “Peaky Blinders” provided a minor education.

From The Wall Street Journal

My heart soared as I scrubbed the grime off my neck and face.

From Literature

The tracks were described by Clash magazine as "some of grime's most pertinent instrumental works", setting "a benchmark for production styles" in the genre.

From BBC

Patch was in front of me, his thin clothes caked with grime.

From Literature

Related Words

• dust
• filth
• muck
• soot