Sordid – 1. Dishonest or immoral behaviour, often caused by a desire to gain money 2. Unpleasant because dirty or in bad condition

(Pronounced saw-did)

To remember the definition of the word sordid, use the following mnemonic:

They found the sword hidden (sordid) in a chest. Although it was in a dirty and bad condition, it was worth a fortune - but it would have been dishonest and immoral to take it. 

Examples of sordid in a sentence (dishonest or immoral behaviour, often caused by a desire to gain money)

Her sordid behaviour had gained her nothing but a prison sentence. 

They arrived at the bank with sordid intentions - they planned to rob the place. 

The CEO was caught red-handed in his sordid scheme to steal money from the company's pension funds. 

Examples of sordid in a sentence (unpleasant because dirty or in bad condition) 

The house they bought was in a sordid state, but it's all they could afford. 

The attic was filled with sordid old furniture, but some of it turned out to be quite valuable.

Her parcel arrived in a sordid condition, so she returned it and left a scathing review.