Use grime for dirt that feels built up, sticky, dark, or embedded. It is stronger and less general than dirt.
Use grime for dirt that feels built up, sticky, dark, or embedded. It is stronger and less general than dirt.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| There is a grime on the window | There is grime on the window |
| The kitchen was full of grimes | The kitchen was full of grime |
| I cleaned the grime out of my shoes | I cleaned the dirt out of my shoes |
Use grime for the UK genre associated with artists such as Wiley, Dizzee Rascal, Kano, Skepta, and pirate-radio culture. It is related to rap and electronic music but is not simply another name for hip-hop.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| I listen to a grime | I listen to grime |
| A grime music became popular in London | Grime music became popular in London |
| He is a grime singer | He is a grime MC |
Use grime as a verb mainly in descriptive writing, often as grimed, grimed with, or grimed over. In everyday speech, make dirty or cover with grime is often more natural.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Smoke grimed to the wall | Smoke grimed the wall |
| The windows were grime with dust | The windows were grimed with dust |
| The floor was griming by mud | The floor was grimed with mud |
For ordinary dirt, grime suggests a stubborn layer rather than loose dust. For music, grime names a specific UK genre, not any dirty-sounding or aggressive rap.
A grime is usually wrong for dirt or music. The noun is normally uncountable, and the music sense should not be treated as a loose synonym for all British rap.
The dirt sense is related to older English and Germanic words for smearing or dirt, with links often noted to grimy. The music sense developed in the early 2000s UK scene from the adjective grimy, first used for the darker, rougher sound that grew out of UK garage, jungle, dancehall, and hip-hop influences.
What does grime mean?
Grime usually means a stubborn layer of dirt, grease, soot, or dust. It can also mean a UK music genre.
Is grime countable?
For dirt and music, grime is usually uncountable. Say grime on the window or I listen to grime.
What is grime music?
It is a British electronic music genre that emerged in London in the early 2000s from UK garage and related styles.
Is grime the same as dirt?
No. Dirt is general. Grime is usually sticky, dark, built-up, or hard to remove.
Can grime be a verb?
Yes. To grime something means to cover it with grime, though the verb is less common than the noun.
What is the adjective form of grime?
The common adjective is grimy, meaning covered with grime or very dirty.
Is grime the same as hip-hop?
No. Grime is related to rap and electronic music, but it grew from UK garage and the London pirate-radio scene.