dirt

[durt]

noun

1. any foul or filthy substance, as mud, grime, dust, or excrement.

2. earth or soil, especially when loose.

3. something or someone vile, mean, or worthless.

   After that last outburst of hers I thought she was dirt.

4. moral filth; vileness; corruption.

5. obscene or lewd language.

   to talk dirt.

6. Informal.,  gossip, especially of a malicious, lurid, or scandalous nature.

   Tell me all the latest dirt.

   Synonyms: scuttlebutt, rumor, slander, scandal

7. private or personal information which if made public would create a scandal or ruin the reputation of a person, company, etc.

8. Mining.

   1. crude, broken ore or waste.

   2. (in placer mining) the material from which gold is separated by washing.

dirt

/ dɜːt /

noun

1. any unclean substance, such as mud, dust, excrement, etc; filth

2. loose earth; soil

3. 1. packed earth, gravel, cinders, etc, used to make a racetrack

   2. ( as modifier )

      a dirt track

4. mining the gravel or soil from which minerals are extracted

5. a person or thing regarded as worthless

6. obscene or indecent speech or writing

7. slang,  gossip; scandalous information

8. moral corruption

9. slang,  to do something vicious to someone

10. informal,  to spread malicious gossip

11. slang,  to accept insult without complaining

12. to have no respect or consideration for someone

Word History and Origins

Origin of dirt¹

1250–1300; Middle English dirt, drit; cognate with Old Norse drit excrement; compare Old English drītan

Word History and Origins

Origin of dirt¹

C13: from Old Norse drit excrement; related to Middle Dutch drēte

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. eat dirt, to accept blame, guilt, criticism, or insults without complaint; humble or abase oneself.

   The prosecutor seemed determined to make the defendant eat dirt.

2. do (someone) dirt. dirty.

More idioms and phrases containing dirt

• dig up (dirt)
• dirty
• dish the dirt
• eat crow (dirt)
• hit the deck (dirt)
• pay dirt
• treat like dirt

Example Sentences

We were impressed with its seamless reaction and relentless forward motion when driving it on dirt paths in hilly terrain.

Read more on MarketWatch

Whenever the film goes outside, he and Zhao make you feel the mystical power of the dirt and leaves.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Olivia and I spent a lot of time moving tiny amounts of dirt, and it was hot and tiring," Kidder said.

Read more on Science Daily

There is no explanation on precisely why this decision has been reached, beyond vague references to alignment and Cavenagh made a point of saying that he would not throw dirt in their direction.

Read more on BBC

The smell of burgers, brats and other grilled delicacies wafted through the air as children played football on the grass and a nearby patch of dirt.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• excrement 
• ground 
• muck 
• mud 
• soil 
• stain