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earthy

The adjective earthy runs the gamut from "crunchy" to "crude." You could use earthy to describe bohemian fashion or a vulgar comedian. Just don't use it to describe our planet.

Adding one letter y to earth changes earth's status from a noun to an adjective. And what a versatile adjective it is! You could use it in a more literal way, like the "earthy smell" coming from the vegetable garden. Or, you could use it in a more figurative way — like to describe someone who wears Birkenstock sandals and grows her own bean sprouts. Earthy can also be used to describe someone who tends to be gross or vulgar, but this use of the word is somewhat euphemistic.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: earthy

1
adj
of or consisting of or resembling earth
2
adj
not far removed from or suggestive of nature
3
adj
hearty and lusty
4
adj
sensible and practical
FULL DEFINITIONS OF: earthy
1

adj of or consisting of or resembling earth

“it had an earthy smell”
“only a little earthy bank separates me from the edge of the ocean”
2

adj not far removed from or suggestive of nature

“the earthy taste of warm milk fresh from the cow”
earthy smells of new-mown grass”
Synonyms
natural
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
3

adj hearty and lusty

“an earthy enjoyment of life”
Synonyms
uninhibited
not inhibited or restrained

adj conspicuously and tastelessly indecent

“an earthy sense of humor”
Synonyms:
crude, gross, vulgar
indecent
offensive to good taste especially in sexual matters
4

adj sensible and practical

“her earthy common sense”
Synonyms:
down-to-earth
realistic
aware or expressing awareness of things as they really are
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