earthy
Americanadjective
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of the nature of or consisting of earth or soil.
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characteristic of earth.
an earthy smell.
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realistic; practical.
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coarse or unrefined.
an earthy sense of humor.
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direct; robust; unaffected.
an earthy, generous woman.
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(of a mineral) having a dull luster and rough to the touch.
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Archaic. worldly; pertaining to the earth.
adjective
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of, composed of, or characteristic of earth
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robust, lusty, or uninhibited
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unrefined, coarse, or crude
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an archaic word for worldly
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electrical engineering on the earthed side of an electrical circuit, but not necessarily with a direct current connection to earth
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of earthy
First recorded in 1350–1400, earthy is from the Middle English word erthy. See earth, -y 1
Explanation
The adjective earthy runs the gamut from "crunchy" to "crude." You could use earthy to describe bohemian fashion or a vulgar comedian. Just don't use it to describe our planet. Adding one letter y to earth changes earth's status from a noun to an adjective. And what a versatile adjective it is! You could use it in a more literal way, like the "earthy smell" coming from the vegetable garden. Or, you could use it in a more figurative way — like to describe someone who wears Birkenstock sandals and grows her own bean sprouts. Earthy can also be used to describe someone who tends to be gross or vulgar, but this use of the word is somewhat euphemistic.
Vocabulary lists containing earthy
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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.
The earthy fragrance of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and cumin.
From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026
When the beans arrive in Whalsay, they are a light green colour with a subtle, earthy aroma.
From BBC • May 31, 2026
Before the night goes to vampire hell, all eyes are on Sammie in earthy and gold tones as he sings “I Lied to You.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026
The dry lake beds and bare mountains were cast in glow and shadow, the whole scene washed in cinnamon and brown sugar — earthy tones that felt almost edible.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2026
“There were a few raised eyebrows, but not many. They’re earthy folk around here.”
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
