Frowsy: meaning, definitions and examples
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frowsy
[ ˈfraʊzi ]
appearance, state
Frowsy describes a disheveled or unkempt state of appearance, often associated with being dirty or neglected. It signifies a lack of tidiness or cleanliness, and can be used to describe both people and places. This term conveys a sense of slovenliness or haphazardness in how someone or something looks, indicating that care has not been taken to maintain proper grooming or order.
Synonyms
disheveled, messy, scruffy, slovenly, unkempt
Examples of usage
- He showed up looking frowsy after a long day at work.
- The frowsy room was a clear sign that no one had been cleaning.
- Her frowsy hair indicated she had just woken up.
- The once-beautiful garden now appeared frowsy and overgrown.
Translations
Translations of the word "frowsy" in other languages:
🇵🇹 desleixado
🇮🇳 गंदा
🇩🇪 schmuddelig
🇮🇩 berantakan
🇺🇦 неохайний
🇵🇱 zaniedbany
🇯🇵 不潔な
🇫🇷 négligé
🇪🇸 desaliñado
🇹🇷 dağınık
🇰🇷 지저분한
🇸🇦 فوضوي
🇨🇿 nepořádný
🇸🇰 neporiadny
🇨🇳 邋遢的
🇸🇮 neurejen
🇮🇸 óreiðulegur
🇰🇿 бұзылған
🇬🇪 დაფლული
🇦🇿 qarışıq
🇲🇽 desordenado
Etymology
The word 'frowsy' traces its etymological roots back to the early 19th century, deriving from the Scots word 'frowsy' which means 'dirty' or 'disheveled'. Initially associated with a lack of tidiness in appearance, it became more widely used in English literature to convey a general sense of sloppiness. The term 'frowsy' is believed to be related to the older Middle English word 'frouse', which also suggests a sense of being unkempt or unclean. Its popularity fluctuated during the 20th century, often used in humorous or descriptive contexts to highlight a character's lack of grooming or the state of a setting. Over the years, 'frowsy' has been adopted in various literary works to bring to life the imagery of neglect or a relaxed attitude towards appearance, making it a vivid descriptor for appearances that fall below societal standards of neatness.