Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the mid-1980s in the Pacific Northwest, particularly in Seattle. It is characterized by its distorted guitars, angst-filled lyrics, and a generally 'DIRTY' sound. Two crossword solutions for the term GRUNGE are SCHMUTZ (7 letters) and CRUD (4 letters). SCHMUTZ is a German word meaning dirt or filth, while CRUD is an informal term for dirt, grime, or other unpleasant substances. Both words accurately describe the sound and aesthetic of grunge music.