earthier; earthiest
1
a
: of, relating to, or consisting of earth
earthy creatures like worms
b
: suggestive of earth (as in texture, odor, or color)
an earthy yellow
c
: rough, coarse, or plain in taste
earthy flavors
2
3
: suggestive of plain or poor people or their ways: such as
a
: practical, down-to-earth
earthy problems of daily life
c
: plain and simple in style : unsophisticated
earthy peasant cookery
earthy decor
4
informal
: crunchy sense 2
Belly dance—big with earthy types in the '70s and early '80s—is once again hip …—
Valerie Berenyi
Valerie Berenyi
earthiness
noun
Examples of earthy in a Sentence
a blend of earthy colors
The wine had an earthy flavor.
Critics were impressed by the movie's earthy realism.
food made with simple, earthy ingredients
Recent Examples on the Web
Prior to this point, the Dead were intergalactic musical trailblazers with a grounding in the earthy rhythm and blues of this world of ours.
—Colin Fleming, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
The rich, earthy color is just a bit darker than caramel brown.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
My in-room Japanese breakfast was another highlight, with hjiki seaweed and red snow crab, stems of earthy burdock root, crunchy snow pea with yuzu, and buttery, roasted Greenland halibut.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026
Think colorful traditional oushak patterns, muted and earthy colors, subtle stripes, and textured weaves, says Alison Truelock, founder and principal designer of Interiors by Alison.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for earthy
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Colin Fleming, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
The rich, earthy color is just a bit darker than caramel brown.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
My in-room Japanese breakfast was another highlight, with hjiki seaweed and red snow crab, stems of earthy burdock root, crunchy snow pea with yuzu, and buttery, roasted Greenland halibut.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026
Think colorful traditional oushak patterns, muted and earthy colors, subtle stripes, and textured weaves, says Alison Truelock, founder and principal designer of Interiors by Alison.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for earthy
Cite this Entry
“Earthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earthy. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
earthier; earthiest
1
: consisting of or resembling earth
an earthy flavor
2
a
: suggestive of plain or poor people or their ways : practical sense 4, down-to-earth
earthy problems of everyday life
b
: not polite : crude
earthy humor
earthiness
noun
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