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Synonyms

earthy

American  
[ur-thee] / ˈɜr θi /

adjective

earthier, earthiest
  1. of the nature of or consisting of earth or soil.

  2. characteristic of earth.

    an earthy smell.

  3. realistic; practical.

  4. coarse or unrefined.

    an earthy sense of humor.

    Synonyms:
    rough, lusty
    Antonyms:
    refined, genteel
  5. direct; robust; unaffected.

    an earthy, generous woman.

  6. (of a mineral) having a dull luster and rough to the touch.

  7. Archaic. worldly; pertaining to the earth.


earthy British  
/ ˈɜːθɪ /

adjective

  1. of, composed of, or characteristic of earth

  2. robust, lusty, or uninhibited

  3. unrefined, coarse, or crude

  4. an archaic word for worldly

  5. electrical engineering on the earthed side of an electrical circuit, but not necessarily with a direct current connection to earth

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • earthily adverb
  • earthiness noun

Etymology

Origin of earthy

First recorded in 1350–1400, earthy is from the Middle English word erthy. See earth, -y 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Tahini has a kind of quiet luxury to it — less sweet than nut butters, less showy, with a soft, earthy depth that can tip, just slightly, into bitterness in a way that feels intentional.

From Salon

It’s warm and slightly earthy from the ground cumin and crumbled feta cheese.

From Salon

Jerusalem artichoke soup arrives earthy and thick, built for thawing.

From Salon

The result is neither winter nor spring, but something that holds both: earthy, sweet, quietly radiant.

From Salon

Spices: Sumac is a great option because it’s acidic yet earthy, tart and slightly lemony, Chavez explains.

From Salon