1
a
b
: a filthy or soiling substance (such as mud, dust, or grime)
c
archaic
: something worthless
d
: a contemptible person
treated me like dirt
2
: loose or packed soil or sand : earth
a mound of dirt
a dirt road
3
a
: an abject or filthy state : squalor
living in dirt
b
: corruption, chicanery
vowed to clean up the dirt in the city government
c
: licentiousness of language or theme
d
: scandalous or malicious gossip
spreading dirt about his ex-wife
e
: embarrassing or incriminating information
trying to dig up dirt on her political rivals
Examples of dirt in a Sentence
Pack dirt loosely around the base of the plant.
You've got some dirt on your face.
Their shoes were covered with dirt.
No amount of cleaning will get rid of all this dirt.
Recent Examples on the Web
Carpets are a home’s No.1 dirt trap and need thorough regular vacuuming.
—
Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
As for the frequency, cleaning them after each workout is ideal—especially if your earbuds come in contact with sweat, sunscreen, or dirt.
—Julia Ries, Outside Online, 14 Nov. 2024
During Game 2 of the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers saw their $700 million investment lying on the dirt writhing in pain after an awkward slide.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Virginia Proctor, born in Prescott, first flew solo in a Luscombe in 1963, taking off from a dirt strip in Wynne.
—Kimberly Dishongh, arkansasonline.com, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dirt 
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.
Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
As for the frequency, cleaning them after each workout is ideal—especially if your earbuds come in contact with sweat, sunscreen, or dirt.
—Julia Ries, Outside Online, 14 Nov. 2024
During Game 2 of the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers saw their $700 million investment lying on the dirt writhing in pain after an awkward slide.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Virginia Proctor, born in Prescott, first flew solo in a Luscombe in 1963, taking off from a dirt strip in Wynne.
—Kimberly Dishongh, arkansasonline.com, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dirt
Articles Related to dirt
Dictionary Entries Near dirt
Cite this Entry
“Dirt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dirt. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share