grotty

Grotty is a British English informal adjective used to describe something dirty, unclean, unattractive, or rundown. It can refer to places, objects, or experiences that are unpleasant or of poor quality. The term is more commonly applied to things rather than to people, though it can be used jokingly about a person in a lighthearted way.

Origin and history are not definitively documented. The word is thought to derive from the British slang word grottiness or grot, meaning dirt or rubbish, with the -ty suffix to form an adjective. Grotty emerged in mid-20th century British English and has remained part of informal speech, especially in everyday conversation and popular culture within the United Kingdom.

Usage notes suggest that grotty conveys a milder, more colloquial sense than words like dirty, filthy, or revolting. It often carries a casual, slightly humorous or self-deprecating tone rather than a strongly negative or harsh judgment. In context, you might hear someone describe a weather day, a small apartment, or a dull hotel room as grotty, or remark that a flat is a “grotty little place” when describing its lack of charm rather than its danger or ugliness.

In reference works, grotty is listed as part of contemporary British slang and informal vocabulary. It remains recognizable to speakers of British English and appears in literature, broadcasting, and media that aim to reflect colloquial speech.