dirt n [ME drit, fr. ON; akin to OE dritan to defecate, L foria diarrhea] 1 a: EXCREMENT b: a filthy or soiling substance (as mud, dust, or grime) c archaic : something worthless d : a contemptible person 2 a : loose or packed soil or sand : EARTH b (1) : alluvial earth in placer mining (2) : slate and waste in coal mines 3 a: an abject or filthy state : SQUALOR b : CORRUPTION, CHANCERY c : licentiousness of language or them d : scandalous or malicious gossip