Meaning & use
squalid
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially because of poverty or lack of care.
Grammar: Gradable: squalid, more squalid, most squalid. Often used before a noun.
Patterns
- squalid conditions
- squalid housing
- live in squalid conditions
The refugees were forced to live in squalid conditions.
He grew up in a squalid apartment with no heating.
The report described the squalid state of the prison cells.
adjectivecomparabledisapproving
Morally low or shameful; involving dishonest or disgusting behavior.
Grammar: Used mainly before a noun to describe actions or affairs.
Patterns
- a squalid affair
- squalid behavior
The scandal revealed a squalid tale of bribery and lies.
They were involved in a squalid business deal that cheated poor families.
Word forms
| comparative | more squalid |
|---|---|
| superlative | most squalid |
Common combinations
- squalid conditions
- The animals were kept in squalid conditions.
- squalid housing
- Many workers could only afford squalid housing.
- squalid little room
- He rented a squalid little room above a bar.
- squalid affair
- The whole business was a squalid affair.
Synonyms and how they differ
- filthy
- Focuses on being very dirty; squalid adds the idea of poverty or neglect.
- sordid
- Often used for moral disgust rather than physical dirt.
- seedy
- Suggests a place that is dirty and perhaps disreputable, but less extreme than squalid.
Opposites
Word family
- squalor noun
- The state of being extremely dirty and unpleasant.
Commonly confused: squalid or squall?
squalid vs squall
A squall is a sudden strong wind; squalid means dirty and unpleasant.
Practice
Choose the best word: The refugees were living in ______ conditions with no clean water.
Choose one answer.
We need an adjective before 'conditions', so 'squalid' is correct. 'Squalor' is a noun, 'squall' is a wind, and 'squeamish' means easily upset.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “squalid”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.