What is dirty? Pronunciation and usage in English

dirty means . Learn how to pronounce and use dirty through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of dirty

dirtyadjective

/ˈdəːti/
Definition & pronunciation of dirty

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "dirty" in English. There are a couple of common pronunciations, and both are perfectly acceptable!

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • ˈdɜːɾti (This is a phonetic approximation – it's hard to type perfectly!)
    • ˈdɪɾti is often how it's transcribed phonetically in American English.
    • ˈdɪrt-i – Break it down like this:
      • di – Like the "dee" in "die"
      • rt – A short "r" sound, almost like a "d"
      • i – Like the "ee" in "see"

2. The British Pronunciation:

  • ˈdɜːɾti (Again, phonetic approximation)
    • ˈdʌɾti - This is more common in British English.
      • duhr – Similar to the "dur" in "duration"
      • ti – Like the "ee" in "see"

Key Points & Tips:

  • The "r" sound: The biggest difference between the American and British pronunciation is the "r." Americans often pronounce it as a very light “d” sound (as in “dirt”). Brits tend to pronounce it more clearly as an "r."
  • Stress: The emphasis is on the first syllable ("di" or "duhr").

Resources to Listen:

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  • Where are you from? (American, British, or another English-speaking country?)

Usage and examples with the word dirty in English

Let's break down how to use the word "dirty" effectively in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized by usage:

1. Literal Meaning - Unclean/Filthy:

  • Describing physical dirt: This is the most basic meaning.
    • "The floor is dirty; I need to sweep it."
    • "Don't touch that! It's dirty."
    • "The dishes are dirty in the sink."
    • “He covered himself in mud, making him look dirty.”

2. Figurative Meanings - Negative/Undesirable:

  • Morally corrupt/dishonest: (This is a common and important usage)

    • "He’s a dirty politician." (Meaning he’s dishonest or corrupt)
    • “She spread a dirty rumor about him.” (Meaning a malicious and untrue lie)
    • "Don't be dirty about your intentions." (Meaning don’t be deceitful)

  • Spiteful/Mean-spirited: Similar to morally corrupt, but often implying petty malice.

    • “He made a dirty joke.” (Meaning a cruel or offensive joke)
    • “Don't be so dirty – you're hurting her feelings.” (Meaning don't be intentionally hurtful)

  • Rough/Crude: Can describe behavior or art.

    • "That was a dirty fight.” (Meaning aggressive and unsportsmanlike)
    • “The movie was very dirty – lots of violence and explicit scenes.” (Meaning graphic and unpleasant)

  • Unpleasant/Awkward/Difficult: (Less common, but used sometimes)

    • "That was a dirty conversation." (Meaning uncomfortable or awkward).

3. Describing Color/Appearance:

  • Dark or muted colors:
    • "He wore a dirty brown shirt." (Meaning a dull or stained brown)
    • "The sky was a dirty gray."

4. Slang & Informal Usage:

  • Attractive (usually referring to a woman): This is a very dated and often considered offensive slang usage. Use with extreme caution and be aware of its implications. It's generally best to avoid this.
    • (Historically) "She's a dirty girl" – Avoid saying this.

Key Considerations & Nuances:

  • Context is crucial: The meaning of "dirty" heavily depends on the context. Pay attention to the surrounding words and the overall situation.

  • Tone: "Dirty" can be a harsh word. Think about the effect you want to have on your listener or reader.

  • Alternatives: Depending on the specific meaning you want to convey, there might be better, more precise words:

    • For literal cleanliness: dirty, soiled, filthy, stained, unclean
    • For moral corruption: corrupt, dishonest, deceitful, unethical
    • For harshness: brutal, violent, aggressive

Examples Combining Different Meanings:

  • "The streets were dirty with rain and garbage." (Literal)
  • "He was accused of playing a dirty game to win the election." (Figurative – dishonest tactics)
  • "The artist's work was criticized for being too dirty and raw." (Figurative – crude/unrefined)

Resources for Further Learning:

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  • What specifically are you trying to do with the word "dirty"? (e.g., write a story, have a conversation, etc.)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word dirty

Idioms of the word dirty

air/wash your dirty laundry/linen in public
(disapproving)to discuss your personal affairs in public, especially something embarrassing
    (do somebody’s) dirty work
    (to do) the unpleasant or dishonest jobs that somebody else does not want to do
    • Next time you can get somebody else to do your dirty work for you!
    • He always gets someone else to do the dirty work for him.
    • The drugs gang used children to do their dirty work for them.
    do the dirty on somebody
    (British English, informal)to cheat somebody who trusts you; to treat somebody badly or unfairly
    • I'd never do the dirty on my friends.
    down and dirty
    behaving in an unfair or aggressive way, especially because you want to win
    • The candidate again got down and dirty with his rival.
    • The online campaign was getting down and dirty.
    rude and making you feel shocked
    • The singer got down and dirty at the club last night and made headlines again.
    • The singers are a down-and-dirty duo from Ohio.
    get your hands dirty
    to do physical work
    • He's not frightened of getting his hands dirty.
    give/shoot somebody a dirty look
    (informal)to look at somebody in a way that shows you are annoyed with them

      Practice with vocabulary dirty

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. The environmental agency issued a warning about the ________ water supply in the rural area.
      2. He was dismissed from his position for engaging in ________ business practices that violated company policy.
      3. After the charity event, the community hall was left in a ________ state with decorations scattered everywhere.
      4. The investigation revealed a ________ secret about the company's unethical marketing campaign, causing a scandal.

      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

      1. The factory's wastewater discharge was deemed ________ and harmful to the environment. A. clean B. polluted C. pure D. contaminated E. pristine

      2. The investigative report uncovered _______ dealings within the city council, leading to multiple arrests. A. transparent B. aboveboard C. corrupt D. unethical E. dirty

      3. The old shed was full of cobwebs and dust, making it feel very _______, despite recent attempts at cleaning. A. grimy B. clean C. filthy D. spotless E. dirty

      4. Despite the overwhelming evidence, he consistently maintained his _______ regarding the accusations of misconduct. A. guilt B. innocence C. culpability D. blamelessness E. honesty

      5. His reputation became _______ after the scandal, making it difficult for him to secure new clients in the financial sector. A. clean B. damaged C. immaculate D. tainted E. dirty

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. Rewrite the sentence using "dirty" or a related word form: The investigative team uncovered some highly unethical financial transactions. Rewrite:

      2. Rewrite the sentence using "dirty" or a related word form: The athlete's uniform was covered in mud and grass stains after the challenging game. Rewrite:

      3. Rewrite the sentence without using "dirty", but with a suitable replacement word: The water sample from the industrial site showed alarming levels of chemical impurities. Rewrite:

      Answer:

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. The environmental agency issued a warning about the polluted water supply in the rural area.
      2. He was dismissed from his position for engaging in dirty business practices that violated company policy.
      3. After the charity event, the community hall was left in a messy state with decorations scattered everywhere.
      4. The investigation revealed a dirty secret about the company's unethical marketing campaign, causing a scandal.

      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

      1. B. polluted, D. contaminated
      2. C. corrupt, D. unethical, E. dirty
      3. A. grimy, C. filthy, E. dirty
      4. B. innocence, D. blamelessness, E. honesty
      5. B. damaged, D. tainted, E. dirty

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. The investigative team uncovered some dirty financial transactions.
      2. The athlete's uniform was incredibly dirty after the challenging game.
      3. The water sample from the industrial site showed alarming levels of contaminated substances.

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