What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
grungy
Example
The basement was dark and grungy, with peeling paint and old furniture. [grungy: adjective]
Example
He had a grungy look with ripped jeans and messy hair. [grungy: adjective]
Example
She likes to dress in a grungy style with band t-shirts and combat boots. [grungy: adjective]
dirty
Example
The dishes were dirty and needed to be washed. [dirty: adjective]
Example
The bathroom was so dirty that I didn't want to use it. [dirty: adjective]
Example
He played dirty by cheating in the game. [dirty: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dirty is more commonly used than grungy in everyday language. Dirty is a common word that covers a wide range of contexts, while grungy is less common and used in specific contexts related to alternative fashion or music styles.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between grungy and dirty?
Both grungy and dirty are informal words that are not appropriate for formal contexts. However, dirty is more versatile and can be used in both informal and formal contexts, while grungy is mostly used in casual and creative contexts.