Dowdy: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is often used to describe someone or something that looks old-fashioned or lacks style. It can be used for clothing or appearance.

• She wore a dowdy dress that made her look much older than she was
• The room had a dowdy appearance with outdated furniture

Shabby is used to describe something that is in poor condition due to wear and tear. It can apply to clothing, objects, or even places.

• The old coat was shabby with frayed edges and patches
• They lived in a shabby apartment that clearly needed repairs

Frumpy is typically used to describe someone, especially a woman, whose clothing and appearance are seen as unattractive or unflattering. It often implies a lack of fashion awareness.

• She felt frumpy in the baggy, unshapely dress
• His grandmother dressed in a frumpy manner, wearing outdated and oversized clothes

Drab is used to describe something dull, lacking color, or cheerfulness. It can refer to clothes, surroundings, or even someone's mood.

• The office looked so drab with its gray walls and minimal decoration
• His outfit was drab, consisting of nothing but brown and gray tones

Unstylish is a straightforward term to describe something or someone that lacks style or fashion sense. It is less harsh than 'dowdy' or 'frumpy'.

• His unstylish haircut did not suit his otherwise polished look
• She felt her shoes were a bit unstylish but comfortable

Used to describe someone or something that is unattractive and outdated in appearance, but not necessarily dirty.

• She wore a dowdy dress that went out of style years ago
• The room looked dowdy with its old-fashioned decor

Refers to someone who does not follow current fashion trends, but not necessarily in an untidy or careless way.

• He is an unfashionable person who prefers comfort over style
• Despite being an unfashionable person, she always dresses neatly

Typically refers to a person, often a woman, who dresses in an old-fashioned or unattractive manner. Can carry a slightly negative connotation.

• She felt like a frump next to her stylish friends
• At the party, he mistook her for a wallflower due to her frumpy outfit

Describes someone who dresses in a messy, untidy, or careless manner. Generally has a negative meaning.

• John is known as a slovenly dresser; his shirts are always wrinkled and stained
• Her slovenly dressing style didn’t impress her boss