Dictionary

grotty en · ADJ · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Clipping of grotesque + -y. Piecewise doublet of grody, the American equivalent. Compare Middle English groti, grooti (“slimy, muddy”), from Old English grotiġ (“earthy, dirty”) (modern dialectal English groaty, Scots grotty), which is equivalent to groat + -y. Compare also Scottish Gaelic grod (“rotten, lousy, terrible”), Middle Irish grot (“bitter, sour”). Originated or popularised by the 1964 film A Hard Day's Night, starring the Beatles and written by Alun Owen.

Meanings

1. (Commonwealth, Ireland, UK, slang) Unpleasant, dirty, slovenly or offensive.
   • George: I wouldn't be seen dead in them. They're dead grotty. Simon: Grotty? George: Yeah, grotesque. 1964, Alun Owen, A Hard Day's Night:

Forms

Deriveds

grottily · grottiness

Relateds

grody

Synonyms

gro · gross · grody

grotty en · ADJ · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

See groaty.

Meanings

1. (alt-of, alternative) Alternative form of groaty.
   alt of groaty

Forms