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

In her refusal to shy away from the grime and grit of Yuknavitch’s story, Stewart creates a startlingly raw atmosphere that ricochets between discordant and truly inspiring.

From Salon

Irish rap trio Kneecap, pop singer Jade and grime artist Skepta are also on the bill across the weekend, alongside US singers Sombr and Role Model.

From BBC

Penelope stood and did her best to brush the grime off the love seat.

From Literature

Even through a coat of grime the slapdash quality of the paintings was evident, with their stiff, awkwardly posed figures and dizzying parade of symbols.

From Literature

These people have nothing, but they show up at the juke joint and you see the sweat and grit and grime on the clothes next to people who made a nice dress.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dust
• filth
• muck
• soot