filth

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English[edit]

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Etymology[edit]

From Middle English filth, from Old English fȳlþ, from Proto-West Germanic *fūliþu.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /fɪlθ/
  • Audio (AU)
    		(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɪlθ

Noun[edit]

filth (usually uncountable, plural filths)

  1. Dirt; foul matter; that which soils or defiles.
    Before we start cooking we need to clean up the filth in this kitchen.
  2. Smut; that which sullies or defiles the moral character; corruption; pollution.
    He spends all his time watching filth on pornographic websites.
    • (Can we date this quote by Tillotson and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
      to purify the soul from the dross and filth of sensual delights
  3. (Britain, derogatory, slang, with definite article) The police.
    We were in the middle of stashing the money when the filth arrived.
  4. (derogatory, uncountable) A vile or disgusting person.
    • 1963, Charles Webb, The Graduate:
      I think you're scum, I think you're filth. And as far as Elaine's concerned you're to get her out of your filthy mind right now.
    • 2011, Jeremy Robert Hall, Summer Days:
      They were filth, utter filth. I mean, and this tops it. She even bought the video of her sister dying, or at least the sex act that killed her.
  5. (US, agriculture, dated) Weeds growing on pasture land.
    Grampa remembers when he had to cut filth with a scythe.

Derived terms[edit]

Related terms[edit]

► English terms derived from the PIE root *puH-‎ (0 c, 15 e)

Translations[edit]

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