Bedraggling: meaning, definitions and examples
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bedraggling
[ bɪˈdræɡəl ]
making dirty
To bedraggled means to make something dirty and wet or to be worn out and in a ragged condition. It often refers to being in a disheveled or unkempt state, especially after exposure to the elements.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The rain bedraggled her dress.
- He returned home bedraggled after the storm.
- The campers looked bedraggled after the long hike.
disheveled appearance
Bedraggled can also describe someone who appears worn out and bedraggled due to fatigue or adverse conditions. It evokes an image of someone looking disheveled or ruffled, often after an exerting experience.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She arrived at the party looking bedraggled after her day at work.
- The bedraggled children played in the rain all afternoon.
- His bedraggled appearance indicated a lack of sleep.
Translations
Translations of the word "bedraggling" in other languages:
🇵🇹 desleixado
🇮🇳 बिखरा हुआ
🇩🇪 zerrissen
🇮🇩 berantakan
🇺🇦 забруднений
🇵🇱 zniszczony
🇯🇵 乱れた
🇫🇷 démoralisé
🇪🇸 desaliñado
🇹🇷 dağınık
🇰🇷 허름한
🇸🇦 مُتَدَاهِي
🇨🇿 zubožený
🇸🇰 zanedbaný
🇨🇳 破旧的
🇸🇮 zapleten
🇮🇸 týndur
🇰🇿 бұзылған
🇬🇪 დარღვეული
🇦🇿 qarışıq
🇲🇽 desaliñado
Etymology
The term 'bedraggled' originated in the early 19th century, combining the prefix 'be-'—often used to create verbs—and 'draggle,' which itself is derived from 'drag' with the suffix '-gle.' The word 'draggle' means to drag through wet or muddy ground, specifically describing the effect of mud or moisture staining something. 'Bedraggled' entered the English language to vividly describe the look of something (or someone) that has been sullied, particularly in a way that implies exposure to rain or water. Furthermore, its usage typically embodies connotations of weariness and disarray, which makes it a perfect descriptor for an individual caught in inclement weather. Over time, 'bedraggled' has also come to denote a broader range of contexts where a person or thing might look untidy or out of sorts.