grunge: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, cultural
Quick answer
What does “grunge” mean?
A style of rock music characterised by distorted electric guitars and raw, angst-filled vocals, originating in the Pacific Northwest US in the late 1980s.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style of rock music characterised by distorted electric guitars and raw, angst-filled vocals, originating in the Pacific Northwest US in the late 1980s.
1. The associated fashion aesthetic (e.g., flannel shirts, ripped jeans, unkempt hair) and subculture. 2. (Less common) Dirt, grime, or something considered messy or unclean.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The musical/cultural sense originated in America (Seattle) and is understood globally. The literal 'dirt' sense is more archaic and less common in both varieties but slightly more likely in British English.
Connotations
In both, the cultural sense evokes a specific era (early 1990s). The literal sense may be perceived as slightly old-fashioned or literary.
Frequency
Cultural sense: High in both during discussions of music/fashion history. 'Dirt' sense: Very low in both.
Grammar
How to Use “grunge” in a Sentence
[genre] grungegrunge [noun: band, scene, look]the grunge of [place/era]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grunge” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A. The verb form is not standard.
American English
- N/A. The verb form is not standard.
adverb
British English
- N/A. The adverb form is not standard.
American English
- N/A. The adverb form is not standard.
adjective
British English
- She preferred a grunge aesthetic to the preppy look.
- The club night had a distinct grunge vibe.
American English
- His grunge-style flannel was a staple.
- They played a set of grunge classics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in industries like music retail, fashion, or media (e.g., 'The grunge trend impacted youth marketing in the 90s.').
Academic
Used in cultural studies, musicology, and sociology papers analysing late 20th-century youth culture.
Everyday
Used when discussing music history, personal style from the 90s, or describing something dirty (less common).
Technical
Not used in STEM fields. Specific in musicology to describe a subgenre.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grunge”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grunge”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grunge”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to grunge up'). Not standard.
- Capitalising it (it is not a proper noun).
- Assuming it only means 'dirt' in modern usage.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while music is its primary association, it comprehensively describes the accompanying fashion, attitude, and subculture of that specific 1990s movement.
It's possible but less common and may sound slightly old-fashioned or literary. Words like 'dirt', 'grime', or 'muck' are more frequent for literal filth.
Both are rebellious, guitar-based genres. Punk (1970s) is faster, more aggressive, and politically charged. Grunge (1990s) is slower, sludgier, more introspective, and less focused on fashion uniformity.
It is neutral-to-positive in cultural contexts, implying authenticity. As a synonym for dirt, it is negative. Context is key.
A style of rock music characterised by distorted electric guitars and raw, angst-filled vocals, originating in the Pacific Northwest US in the late 1980s.
Grunge is usually informal, cultural in register.
Grunge: in British English it is pronounced /ɡrʌndʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡrʌndʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. 'The grunge movement' is a fixed phrase.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a G-RUNner GEtting dirty - the 'GR' from dirty ground and the 'UNGE' sounding like 'grunge' - connecting to both dirt and the rough, unpolished music.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIRT IS AUTHENTICITY / REBELLION IS UNKEMPT APPEARANCE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'grunge' LEAST likely to be used correctly?