Definition of grubby adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

grubby

adjective

/ˈɡrʌbi/

(comparative grubbier, superlative grubbiest)

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rather dirty, usually because it has not been washed or cleaned
- grubby hands/clothes
Synonyms dirty
dirtydusty ▪ filthy ▪ muddy ▪ soiled ▪ grubby ▪ stainedThese words all describe somebody/something that is not clean.
dirty not clean; covered with dust, soil, mud, oil, etc:
If your hands are dirty, go and wash them.
dusty full of dust; covered with dust:
There were shelves full of dusty books.
filthy very dirty and unpleasant:
It’s absolutely filthy in here.
muddy full of or covered in mud:
Don’t you come in here with those muddy boots on!
soiled (rather formal) dirty, especially with waste from the body:
soiled nappies/diapers
grubby (rather informal) rather dirty, usually because it has not been washed:
He hoped she wouldn’t notice his grubby shirt cuffs.
stained (often in compounds) covered with stains; marked with a stain (= a dirty mark that is difficult to remove):
a pair of paint-stained jeans
Patterns
- dirty/dusty/filthy/muddy/soiled/grubby/stained clothes
- dirty/dusty/filthy/grubby hands
- a dirty/dusty/filthy room
- to get dirty/dusty/filthy/muddy/stained
Extra Examples
- Having to put on unwashed clothes made her feel grubby.
- He hoped she wouldn't notice his grubby shirt cuffs.
- My hands are a bit grubby.
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unpleasant because it involves activities that are not honest or moral synonym sordid
- a grubby scandal
Topics Personal qualitiesc2

See grubby in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

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