squalid
UK: ˈskwɒlɪd | US: ˈskwɑːlɪd
adj. extremely dirty and unpleasant, often due to neglect or poverty
adj. morally degraded or sordid
squalid = squal<filth> + id<adjective suffix>
- squal (from Latin squalus, meaning "rough, dirty, or filthy")
- id (a suffix forming adjectives, often indicating a state or quality)
Etymology Origin:
The word "squalid" traces back to the Latin squalidus, derived from squalere ("to be rough or dirty"). The root squal- evokes imagery of neglect and filth, while the suffix -id solidifies its adjectival form. Over time, "squalid" expanded beyond physical dirtiness to describe moral decay, reflecting its Latin roots in both literal and figurative degradation.
The refugees lived in squalid conditions, with no access to clean water.
The abandoned building was a squalid reminder of urban decay.
His squalid behavior shocked even his closest friends.
The documentary exposed the squalid realities of sweatshop labor.
After years of neglect, the once-grand hotel became squalid and unwelcoming.