grimy

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Morally corrupt, malicious, vile, or selfish; base or dirty; rotten.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

When I was 18 I was grimy af. I wouldn't share my food with you even if you were starving and about to die.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Of a beat or song, darkly atmospheric; having affinities with the style of the East Coast hip hop of the 90s, especially that of New York.

Register: slang

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “grimy” mean?

Morally corrupt, malicious, vile, or selfish; base or dirty; rotten.

Is “grimy” formal or informal?

grimy is generally slang.