What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
grimy
Example
The mechanic's hands were grimy from working on the car. [grimy: adjective]
Example
The kitchen was grimy and needed a good cleaning. [grimy: adjective]
Example
The homeless man looked grimy and disheveled. [grimy: adjective]
dirty
Example
The children came home with dirty clothes after playing outside. [dirty: adjective]
Example
The bathroom was dirty and needed to be scrubbed. [dirty: adjective]
Example
The hiker looked dirty and exhausted after a long trek. [dirty: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dirty is more commonly used than grimy in everyday language. Dirty is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while grimy is less common and typically used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between grimy and dirty?
While dirty can be used in various formality levels, grimy is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, making it less appropriate for formal contexts.
