grubby
Needing a scrub
Grubby means dirty in a grimy, unwashed way: grubby hands, a grubby T-shirt.
The word suggests accumulated grime rather than a single stain—the grubbiness of things handled too much or cleaned too little.
Figuratively, grubby describes something sordid or morally unclean: grubby motives, a grubby little scheme.
Thoroughly unclean
unclean · dingy · sullied · unwashed · squalid · slovenly · disheveled · messy
Worn and neglected
- rundownQuick overview of facts
- seedyRundown and disreputable
- dilapidatedRuined through neglect
- sordidMorally foul or base
decrepit · ramshackle · dingy · squalor · slum · flophouse · hovel · derelict
Disreputably low-quality
- shadyDisreputable or sun-blocked
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- corruptDishonest, open to bribes
- sordidMorally foul or base
unscrupulous · crooked · dodgy · unsavory · seamy · dishonorable · low · base
Inclined to pilfer
- tousledDisordered, especially hair
- rumpledCrinkled from neglect
- scrapedRubbed harshly against
- scuffedScratched through friction
sandbox · finger-painted · playground · roughhousing · rambunctious · adventurous · exploring · mischievous
filthy
Thoroughly unclean
smudged · unclean · dingy · sullied · unwashed · squalid · slovenly · disheveled · messy · spotted
shabby
Worn and neglected
- rundownQuick overview of facts
- seedyRundown and disreputable
- dilapidatedRuined through neglect
sordid · decrepit · ramshackle · dingy · squalor · slum · flophouse · hovel · derelict · neglected
sleazy
Disreputably low-quality
- shadyDisreputable or sun-blocked
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- corruptDishonest, open to bribes
sordid · unscrupulous · crooked · dodgy · unsavory · seamy · dishonorable · low · base · contemptible
sticky-fingered
Inclined to pilfer
scuffed · sandbox · finger-painted · playground · roughhousing · rambunctious · adventurous · exploring · mischievous · carefree
- cleanlinessclean, cleanliness, clean up, dirty, neatness
- filthdirt, grime, dirty, filthy, muck
- groomingbrushing teeth, clean shave, bathe, groomed, haircut
- food slangchow, eats, nosh, munchies, vittles
- Insect Traitssix-legged, winged, antennae, exoskeleton, segmented
- slang adjectivescool, awesome, dope, lit, sick
grubbyclean
Free of soil
spotless · immaculate · pristine · spick-and-span · unsoiled
grubbyimmaculate
Completely without blemish
clean · pristine · neat · tidy · well-groomed
- grubby hands
- pub grubCasual tavern food
- grubby paws
- money grubberOne obsessed with accumulating wealth
- grade grubberStudent fixated on scores
- Grub StreetWorld of hack writers