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dingy

adjective

/ˈdɪnʤi/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of dingy

Dirty, darkened, or discolored in a way that gives it a dull and unclean appearance.
"The basement was dark and dingy, with cobwebs in every corner."

Detailed meaning of dingy

When something is characterized as dingy, it implies a lack of cleanliness or upkeep, often resulting in a faded or grimy look. This term can apply to various contexts, such as a dingy room with stained walls and dusty furniture, a dingy piece of clothing that has lost its original color and vibrancy, or a dingy alleyway that appears uninviting due to neglect. "Dingy" underscores the idea of something being shabby and unclean, often evoking a sense of drabness, neglect, or a need for thorough cleaning or renovation.

Example sentences containing dingy

1. The room was dingy and poorly lit, making it unwelcoming to visitors.
2. He wore a dingy old jacket that had clearly seen better days.
3. The dingy alleyway was littered with trash and graffiti-covered walls.
4. She tried to brighten up the dingy apartment with colorful curtains and plants.
5. The pages of the old book were dingy and yellowed with age.
6. The laundromat was dingy, but it was the only one in the neighborhood.

History and etymology of dingy

The adjective 'dingy' has its etymological origins somewhat obscure, but it is believed to have evolved from the word 'ding,' which appeared in the English language around the 17th century. 'Ding' referred to a dark spot or stain, often the result of soiling or smudging. Over time, 'dingy' came to describe something as dirty, darkened, or discolored in a way that gives it a dull and unclean appearance. It implies a lack of brightness or cleanliness and is often used to depict spaces, objects, or surfaces that have become tarnished or grimy. 'Dingy' suggests a sense of neglect or poor maintenance, making it a useful word for describing spaces or items that are in need of cleaning or refurbishment.

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Further usage examples of dingy

1. They discovered a treasure trove of antiques in the dingy attic.
2. The detective entered the dingy bar, a known haunt for shady characters.
3. Her white shoes turned dingy after walking through the muddy field.
4. The dingy basement was cluttered with boxes and old furniture.
5. Despite the dingy exterior, the restaurant served some of the best food in town.
6. The painter tried to capture the atmosphere of the dingy, narrow streets in his artwork.
7. The old factory had a dingy break room that the workers rarely used.
8. They spent the night in a dingy motel by the highway.
9. She took the dingy old rug and upcycled it into a beautiful wall hanging.
10. The old basement had a dingy, musty smell.
11. The dingy windows obscured the view outside.
12. He wore a dingy shirt that had seen better days.
13. The bathroom tiles were stained and dingy.
14. She found a treasure hidden in the dingy attic.
15. The hallway was dimly lit and felt dingy.
16. The restaurant's interior was dark and dingy.
17. The dingy carpet needed a thorough cleaning.
18. He lived in a small, dingy apartment downtown.
19. The dingy alleyway was devoid of any activity.
20. The curtains in the room looked old and dingy.
21. The dingy bar had a loyal, dive-bar crowd.
22. The dingy motel room was far from inviting.
23. The kitchen was cluttered and appeared dingy.
24. The basement was dark and filled with dingy furniture.