grubby

¹

[ gruhb-ee ]

adjective

, grub·bi·er, grub·bi·est.

1. dirty; slovenly:

   children with grubby faces and sad eyes.

   Synonyms: bedraggled, filthy, messy, unkempt, grimy

2. infested with or affected by grubs or larvae.
3. contemptible:

   grubby political tricks.

grubby

²

[ gruhb-ee ]

noun

, plural grub·bies.

1. a small sculpin, Myxocephalus aenaeus, inhabiting waters off the coast of New England.

grubby

/ ˈɡrʌbɪ /

adjective

1. dirty; slovenly
2. mean; beggarly
3. infested with grubs

Derived Forms

• ˈgrubbily, adverb
• ˈgrubbiness, noun

Other Words From

• grubbi·ly adverb
• grubbi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of grubby¹

First recorded in 1605–15; grub + -y ¹

Origin of grubby²

Origin uncertain

Example Sentences

The teenagers designed and tailored the outfits and also doubled up as models to showcase their creations, with the grubby walls and terraces of the slum providing the backdrop for their ramp walk.

From BBC

Most recently, Wilson wrote Thursday that her father is a “delusional and grubby little control freak who hasn’t matured as a person for 38 years.”

From Los Angeles Times

Heaven help the grubby finger that even attempts to graze their wings.

From Los Angeles Times

But the first time Qualls saw the sorry state of the equipment taken in by Bush — specifically a grubby charbroiler — he was shocked.

From Los Angeles Times

But the notion that Trump is going to find some fresh wellspring of support because he's been proved a grubby little criminal by a jury of his peers?

From Salon

Related Words

• filthy
• grimy
• grungy
• messy
• seedy
• shabby
• soiled
• squalid
• unkempt