First Known Use: 1596
Dictionary
squalid
adjective squal·id \ˈskwä-ləd\
: very dirty and unpleasant
: immoral or dishonest
Full Definition of SQUALID
1
: marked by filthiness and degradation from neglect or poverty
See squalid defined for English-language learners
See squalid defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of SQUALID
Latin squalidus rough, dirty, from squalēre to be covered with scales or dirt, from squalus dirty; perhaps akin to Latin squama scale
Synonym Discussion of SQUALID
dirty, filthy, foul, nasty, squalid mean conspicuously unclean or impure. dirty emphasizes the presence of dirt more than an emotional reaction to it <a dirty littered street>. filthy carries a strong suggestion of offensiveness and typically of gradually accumulated dirt that begrimes and besmears <a stained greasy floor, utterly filthy>. foul implies extreme offensiveness and an accumulation of what is rotten or stinking <a foul-smelling open sewer>. nasty applies to what is actually foul or is repugnant to one expecting freshness, cleanliness, or sweetness <it's a nasty job to clean up after a sick cat>. In practice, nasty is often weakened to the point of being no more than a synonym of unpleasant or disagreeable <had a nasty fall> <his answer gave her a nasty shock>. squalid adds to the idea of dirtiness and filth that of slovenly neglect <squalid slums>. All these terms are also applicable to moral uncleanness or baseness or obscenity. dirty then stresses meanness or despicableness <don't ask me to do your dirty work>, while filthy and foul describe disgusting obscenity or loathsome behavior <filthy street language> <a foul story of lust and greed>, and nasty implies a peculiarly offensive unpleasantness <a stand-up comedian known for nasty humor>. Distinctively, squalid implies sordidness as well as baseness and dirtiness <engaged in a series of squalid affairs>.
SQUALID Defined for Kids
squalid
adjective squal·id \ˈskwä-ləd\
Definition of SQUALID for Kids
: filthy or degraded from a lack of care or money <They lived in squalid conditions.>
Learn More About SQUALID
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up squalid? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).