dirtying


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dirt·y

 (dûr′tē)
adj. dirt·i·er, dirt·i·est
1.
a. Covered or marked with dirt or an unwanted substance; unclean.
b. Spreading dirt; polluting: The air near the foundry was always dirty.
c. Apt to soil with dirt or grime: a dirty job at the garage.
d. Contaminated with bacteria or other infectious microorganisms.
2. Squalid or filthy; run-down: dirty slums.
3.
a. Obscene or indecent: dirty movies; a dirty joke.
b. Lewd or lecherous: a dirty mind.
4.
a. Unethical or corrupt; sordid: dirty politics.
b. Malicious or scandalous: a dirty lie.
c. Not sportsmanlike: dirty players; a dirty fighter.
d. Acquired by illicit or improper means: dirty money.
e. Slang Possessing or using illegal drugs.
5.
a. Unpleasant or distasteful; thankless: Laying off workers is the dirty part of this job.
b. Extremely unfortunate or regrettable: a dirty shame.
6. Expressing disapproval or hostility: gave us a dirty look.
7. Not bright and clear in color; somewhat dull or drab. Often used in combination: dirty-blonde hair; dirty-green walls.
8.
a. Relating to or being a bomb that uses a conventional explosive and radioactive material to contaminate an area with low-level radiation.
b. Relating to or being a nuclear weapon that produces a very great amount of long-lived radioactive fallout.
9. Stormy; rough: dirty weather.
v. dirt·ied, dirt·y·ing, dirt·ies
v.tr.
1. To make soiled.
2. To stain or tarnish with dishonor.
v.intr.
To become soiled.

dirt′i·ly adv.
dirt′i·ness n.
Synonyms: dirty, filthy, grimy, grubby, squalid
These adjectives apply to what is unclean, impure, or unkempt: dirty clothes; filthy rags; grimy hands; an old grubby stove; a squalid apartment.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.dirtying - the act of soiling something
change of state - the act of changing something into something different in essential characteristics
spotting, staining, maculation - the act of spotting or staining something
contamination, pollution - the act of contaminating or polluting; including (either intentionally or accidentally) unwanted substances or factors
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
References in periodicals archive ?
Dirtying One's Hands by Sharing a Polity with Others, JEREMY WALDRON
Asked somewhat facetiously if he were considering the launch of Money Dirtying Report, Charles said, "I've remained a one-note Charlie.