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filth

C2
Fairly common

Pronunciation

UK

  • /fˈɪlθ/

US

  • /ˈfɪlθ/

Meanings

Noun

  1. dirty or disgusting matter; grime

  2. obscene or sexually explicit language, images, or entertainment

  3. moral corruption or depravity

More meanings
  1. the police, used as an insulting slang term

Beyond the definition

Filth is not just ordinary dirt; it suggests a shocking level of mess, grime, or foul waste. It brings to mind sticky floors, rotting garbage, mud, stains, and places that feel unhealthy or disgusting. The word is strong and negative, much harsher than simply saying something is dirty. It can also be used in a moral sense for behavior, language, or material seen as obscene, shameful, or corrupt.

Examples

  1. 1

    Dirty apartment

    By the end of the week, the apartment was covered in filth.

  2. 2

    Living conditions

    No child should have to live in filth.

  3. 3

    Work grime

    His hands were black with oil and filth after fixing the engine.

  4. 4

    Obscene content

    The magazine was criticized for filling its pages with filth.

More examples
  1. 5

    Obscene language

    I was disgusted by the filth that came out of his mouth.

    • Phrasethe filth that came out of his mouth

      extremely rude or obscene language

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • covered in filth
  • a layer of filth
  • live in filth

Word family

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Forms and spellings

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Main spelling

  • filthnoun