VocabDictionary

grubbies

/ˈɡrʌbiːz/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

Old, informal clothes worn when doing messy work, gardening, or chores where they are expected to get dirty.

Example Sentences:
  • Change into your grubbies before we start painting the garage.
  • She didn't mind getting her grubbies muddy while planting flowers in the backyard.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “grubbies”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the adjective 'grubby' (meaning dirty, soiled, or unkempt), which comes from 'grub' in the sense of digging or rooting around in dirt, akin to a grub (the larval form of an insect). The suffix '-ies' is a common colloquial diminutive plural form in English, used here to designate clothing worn for messy or dirty tasks.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of getting your clothes covered in dirt like a little grub (worm) in the garden, so you put on your 'grubbies'.

Frequently Asked Questions About “grubbies

1. What is the meaning of “grubbies” in English?

In English, grubbies (noun) is defined as: “Old, informal clothes worn when doing messy work, gardening, or chores where they are expected to get dirty.”.

2. How do you use “grubbies” in a sentence?

Change into your grubbies before we start painting the garage.

3. What are English synonyms of “grubbies”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “grubbies”?

Derived from the adjective 'grubby' (meaning dirty, soiled, or unkempt), which comes from 'grub' in the sense of digging or rooting around in dirt, akin to a grub (the larval form of an insect). The suffix '-ies' is a common colloquial diminutive plural form in English, used here to designate clothing worn for messy or dirty tasks.