: soot, smut, or dirt adhering to or embedded in a surface
broadly
: accumulated dirtiness and disorder
grime
transitive verb
Examples of grime in a Sentence
The windows were coated with grime.
this new product really cuts through grime
Recent Examples on the Web
While your windows will still need regular cleaning, there are a few tricks to reduce the amount of dirt and grime that collects on them in the meantime.
—
Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
Because these sinks sit on top of the counter rather than being flush with it, grime tends to accumulate around the base, which is notoriously hard to clean.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
This is a gentler alternative that still gets rid of grime without stripping your skin bare.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
With a reddish-brown lid, covered in moss and grime, neighbors told Giglio that the tub had not been touched since the 70s or 80s.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grime
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
Because these sinks sit on top of the counter rather than being flush with it, grime tends to accumulate around the base, which is notoriously hard to clean.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
This is a gentler alternative that still gets rid of grime without stripping your skin bare.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
With a reddish-brown lid, covered in moss and grime, neighbors told Giglio that the tub had not been touched since the 70s or 80s.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grime
Cite this Entry
“Grime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grime. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
grime
noun
: dirt rubbed into or covering a surface
also
: accumulated dirtiness and disorder
grime
verb
griminess
noun
ˈgrī-mē-nəs
grimy
adjective
ˈgrī-mē
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share