grunge
UK[ɡrʌndʒ]US[ɡrʌndʒ]
n
a style of rock music with a loud, distorted guitar sound and lyrics expressing apathy or anger, popular in the early 1990s.
n
a style of fashion associated with this music, characterized by unkempt clothing such as flannel shirts and ripped jeans.
n
dirt, grime, or filth.
Etymology
the word 'grunge' is an american english coinage, first recorded in the 1960s. it is believed to be a blend, possibly influenced by words like 'grime' and 'sludge', evoking a sense of dirtiness and unpleasant texture. its onomatopoeic quality suggests something grimy or messy. the term was later applied metaphorically to a raw, unpolished style of music and fashion in the late 1980s and early 1990s, capturing the aesthetic's deliberate rejection of polish and cleanliness.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword of american english origin, likely formed by blending or onomatopoeic processes. its functional role is as a noun.
Examples
nirvana was the most famous band to emerge from the seattle grunge scene.
her grunge look consisted of an oversized flannel shirt and combat boots.
he spent the weekend cleaning the grunge from the old garage floor.