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Definition of dingy

dingy

/ˈdɪn.dʒi/
din · gy
Adverb:dingily
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dingy Lexical Profile

dingy Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Gloomy, drab, and dirty in appearance, especially due to a lack of light, freshness, or regular cleaning.

Example

"The narrow staircase led down to a dingy basement with peeling wallpaper and a single flickering bulb."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for dingy
Antonyms
View all antonyms for dingy

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'dingy' (pronounced DIN-jee, meaning dirty and drab) with 'dinghy' (pronounced DING-ee or DING-gee, meaning a small boat), though 'dingy' is occasionally encountered as a rare variant spelling of the boat.

• Rhymes for dingy

• Nearby Words

dingmans falls
dingo
dingus
dingy
dink
dinky
dinner

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the mid-18th century as English regional slang, likely derived from Old English 'dyng' (dung, manure) with the adjectival suffix '-y'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dingy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dingy
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