What it means
まみれ attaches to a noun naming a substance and indicates that something is covered all over or heavily coated with it. It commonly describes an undesirable or excessive covering, such as dirt, mud, blood, sweat, or oil. It is used in ordinary conversation as well as in writing and is not inherently formal. The pattern can function predicatively with a copula or attributively before another noun.
Usage note
まみれ usually suggests an unwanted or unpleasant coating and is not interchangeable with だらけ, which more broadly means being full of or surrounded by something. The substance named before まみれ is normally understood to cover the surface of the affected thing.
How to use it
作業員の手は油まみれです。
The worker's hand is covered in oil.
泥まみれの靴は玄関に置かれています。
The shoes covered in mud are placed in the entryway.
作業員の手は油まみれだ。
The worker's hand is covered in oil.
泥まみれの靴は玄関に置かれている。
The shoes covered in mud are placed in the entryway.
Example sentences
台風の後、庭の自転車は泥まみれになっていた。
After the typhoon, the bicycle in the garden was covered in mud.
点検を終えた整備士の手は、油まみれだった。
After finishing the inspection, the mechanic's hands were covered in oil.
長時間の登山を終えた彼のシャツは汗