grunge

noun

ˈgrənj How to pronounce grunge (audio)
1
: one that is grungy
2
: rock music incorporating elements of punk rock and heavy metal
also : the untidy fashions typical of fans of grunge
grunger
ˈgrən-jər
noun

Examples of grunge in a Sentence

I'm a fan of grunge. I cleared the grunge out of the drains.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The aesthetic borrows from grunge and indie sleaze, blending undone eyeliner with pale, textured skin. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 Its core 1970s grinding yet melodic bluesy approach didn’t shift when synthesizers became the rage in the 1980s or when grunge overtook the rock world in the 1990s. — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Bully’s amalgam of punk, grunge and melodic alt sounds has earned it a national following over the course of the past ten years. — John D. Luerssen, SPIN, 27 Aug. 2026 Vedder’s elliptical tales of adolescent trauma were a perfect fit with music that blended classic-rock tropes (especially McCready’s solos) with punk energy, grunge guitar tones and the groove-heavy vibe of early-Nineties alt-rock. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grunge

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from grungy

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grunge was in 1965

Rhymes for grunge

See All Rhymes for grunge

Browse Nearby Words

Grünewald
grunge
grungy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grunge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grunge. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on grunge

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about grunge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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