earthy

/ˈɜːθi/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈɚθi] /ˈɜːrθi/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈɚθi] /ˈər-thē How to pronounce earthy (audio) -t͟hē How to pronounce earthy (audio)/ (ame, mw)

earthy — adjective

  • earthypositive
  • earthiercomparative
  • earthiestsuperlative

1. having the smell, colour, texture, or flavour of soil or the natural ground.

1.形容詞C1
釋義

having the smell, colour, texture, or flavour of soil or the natural ground.

例句

The soup had an earthy smell from the mushrooms and roasted beets.

collocation: earthy smell

Jin chose an earthy green paint for the walls of the cafe.

collocation: earthy green

同義詞
  • soil-like

    very close in meaning, but less idiomatic in everyday English

  • earth-coloured

    mainly about colour, not smell or flavour

  • rustic

    broader; may suggest a simple country style rather than literal soil qualities

反義詞
  • artificial

    lacking the natural, ground-like quality of this sense

  • floral

    for smells or flavours, sweet and flower-like rather than soil-like

文法句型

earthy smell / flavour / colour

be + earthy

用法筆記

Often used for smells, flavours, colours, and textures, especially in food, wine, pottery, or interior design. Distinguish from 'dirty': this sense usually describes a natural quality, not actual mess.

常見錯誤

❌The children's shoes were earthy after the walk.
✅The children's shoes were muddy after the walk.
💡'earthy' describes a soil-like quality, not simply being covered in dirt.

2. plain, natural, and comfortable in ordinary life, without trying to seem refined

2.形容詞C1
釋義

plain, natural, and comfortable in ordinary life, without trying to seem refined or important.

例句

The new mayor has an earthy style that farmers trust immediately.

collocation: earthy style

Hari told the story in an earthy way, with plain words and real details.

pattern: in an earthy way

同義詞
反義詞
  • pretentious

    trying too hard to seem important or refined

  • affected

    showing an unnatural style put on for effect

文法句型

earthy style / charm / manner

be + earthy

用法筆記

Usually describes a person's style, voice, manner, or charm, and often carries a warm or approving tone. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense is about plain, natural character, not frank talk about sex or the body.

常見錯誤

❌Her apartment is earthy because the floor is brown.
✅Her apartment has an earthy look because of the brown wood and clay pots.
💡For rooms or style, 'earthy' usually refers to an overall natural feel, not one colour alone.

3. speaking about sex or physical matters openly and without much embarrassment, in

3.形容詞C1
釋義

speaking about sex or physical matters openly and without much embarrassment, in a way some people find coarse.

例句

The play mixes romance with earthy jokes about married life.

collocation: earthy jokes

Amihan's novel has an earthy tone and talks openly about desire.

collocation: earthy tone

同義詞
  • bawdy

    more clearly about sexual jokes or stories

  • racy

    lighter and often playful, especially in media or conversation

  • ribald

    formal or literary; often used of deliberately indecent humour

反義詞
  • prim

    easily shocked by sexual or bodily topics

  • decorous

    formal; carefully polite and proper

文法句型

earthy joke / humour / language

be + earthy

用法筆記

Most common with humour, jokes, language, stories, and tone. It often suggests amused or mild disapproval rather than serious obscenity. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense points to frank treatment of sex or the body, not a warm, simple personality.

常見錯誤

❌The science lesson was earthy because it explained the lungs.
✅The comedian's routine was earthy because it joked about sex and bodies.
💡This sense is about frank or coarse treatment of sex or the body, not neutral biology.