Definition of grungy

The word "grungy" has its roots in the late 19th century. It originated from the Polish word "grung", which means "dirt" or "filth". This word was borrowed into Middle English as "grunge", likely through the influence of Polish immigrants who came to England during the Middle Ages. Initially, "grunge" referred to a type of soil or mold, but over time its meaning expanded to describe anything dirty, grimy, or unpleasant. By the mid-20th century, the word had evolved into "grungy", which is now commonly used to describe something messy, unkempt, or uncared for. The rise of the Seattle grunge music movement in the late 1980s likely contributed to the increased popularity of the word "grungy" in mainstream culture, as it was used to describe the genre's DIY aesthetic and the musicians' unkempt appearance.