adjective

grungy

GRUN-jee/ˈɡrʌndʒi/

Roughly worn and dirty in appearance.

These grungy canvas sneakers have stained laces and frayed fabric.

A pair of filthy, battered canvas sneakers with ground-in grime, frayed fabric, stained laces, and peeling rubber edges makes the dirty, shabby appearance immediately visible.

Etymology

Grungy may be based on, or blended from, grubby and dingy. Those words bring together dirtiness and a dull, shabby appearance, matching the selected sense, but the origin remains uncertain.

In context

misesmedia29:06

at Brooklyn Polytechnic Murray occupied a small grungy and windowless office

Coming of Age With Murray | Hans-Hermann Hoppe

More examples

The grungy couch is covered in stains and worn patches.
My work clothes look grungier after every shift.
She wears a grungy jacket and ripped jeans to the concert.

Forms

grungy · grungier · grungiest

grunginess noun — The quality of looking dirty and shabby.

Similar words

grimy: Emphasizes a coating of dirt rather than visible wear.
shabby: Emphasizes worn condition, without necessarily suggesting dirt or grime.
scruffy: Suggests untidiness more than heavy dirt or severe wear.