What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
grubby
Example
He came back from the garage with grubby hands. [grubby: adjective]
Example
The little boy's grubby face was covered in chocolate. [grubby: adjective]
Example
The abandoned house had a grubby and neglected appearance. [grubby: adjective]
dirty
Example
The kitchen floor was dirty and needed to be cleaned. [dirty: adjective]
Example
He got his shirt dirty while playing in the mud. [dirty: adjective]
Example
The politician was accused of having a dirty campaign. [dirty: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dirty is more commonly used than grubby in everyday language. Dirty is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while grubby is less common and refers to a more specific type of dirtiness.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between grubby and dirty?
Both grubby and dirty are informal words that are more commonly used in casual conversation than in formal writing or speech.
