dingy

adjective

din·​gy ˈdin-jē How to pronounce dingy (audio)
dingier; dingiest
Synonyms of dingy
1
: dirty, unclean
dingy fingernails
2
: shabby, squalid
a dingy hotel room
dingily
ˈdin-jə-lē How to pronounce dingy (audio)
adverb
dinginess
ˈdin-jē-nəs How to pronounce dingy (audio)
noun

Synonyms of dingy

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Examples of dingy in a Sentence

He's been staying in a dingy motel. the bed sheets were pretty dingy so we threw them in the laundry pile
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In response, the leader of Arioka orders Kanbei be thrown in the castle’s impeccably dingy dungeon. — Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 Proper washing techniques and sorting by fabric type prevent socks from becoming dingy over time. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 30 July 2026 Vibrant Yellows Bright yellow can cause to white cabinets looking dingy and fight against natural elements, like marble, granite, or tile. — Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 26 July 2026 The usual dingy couch and worn coffee table have been replaced by a full-on suite, complete with a skylight, piano, coffee, bar, and a walk-in shower. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dingy

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dingy was in 1656

Rhymes for dingy

See All Rhymes for dingy

Browse Nearby Words

Dingwall
dingy
dinichthyid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dingy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dingy. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dingy

adjective
din·​gy ˈdin-jē How to pronounce dingy (audio)
dingier; dingiest
: rather dark and dirty : not fresh or clean
a dingy room
dingy colors
dingily
-jə-lē How to pronounce dingy (audio)
adverb
dinginess
-jē-nəs How to pronounce dingy (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dingy

Nglish: Translation of dingy for Spanish Speakers

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