Dowdy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈdau̇-dē/

Meaning & Definition of Dowdy

Dowdy (adjective)

  1. not neat or becoming in appearance, shabby
  2. lacking smartness or taste
  3. old-fashioned

Dowdy (noun)

  1. a dowdy woman
  2. pandowdy

Dowdy (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. lacking neatness in dress or person

    "a dowdy old matron"

    similar: blowsy, frowsy, slobbish, slobby, sloppy, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy
    related: slatternly, chaotic, cluttered, confused, disarranged, disheveled, disordered, messed, messy, muddled, mussed, mussy, rumpled, shaggy, uncombed, wrinkled, shabby, sleazy, besmirched, blackened, dingy, dirty, filthy, foul, grimy, grubby, grungy, mucky, nasty, scroungy, scuzzy (slang), soiled, spotted, squalid, stained, sullied, unclean, uncleanly
    opposite: dapper, dashing, dolled up, sharp, smart, spruce
    near: chic, fashionable, modish, stylish, combed, groomed, neat, ordered, orderly, tidy, careful, fastidious, fussy, meticulous, clean, cleaned, cleanly, immaculate, sparkling, spotless, stainless, unsoiled, unsullied

  2. marked by an obvious lack of style or good taste

    "the dowdy, beat-up furniture at the cheap motel"

    similar: cheesy, inelegant, styleless, tacky, tasteless, ticky-tacky, trashy, unfashionable, unstylish
    related: graceless, inappropriate, incorrect, unbecoming, unseemly, unsuitable, wrong, outmoded, out-of-date, passé, coarse, crude, unrefined, vulgar, cheap, common, inferior, junky, lousy, low-grade, second-rate, shoddy, sleazy, tawdry, flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, grotesque, kitsch, kitschy, loud, ostentatious, overdone, showy, splashy
    opposite: chic, classic, classy, elegant, exquisite, fashionable, fine, posh, ritzy, smart, sophisticated, stylish, tasteful
    near: appropriate, becoming, correct, fitting, proper, right, seemly, suitable, conservative, genteel, handsome, neat, quiet, refined, restrained, simple, understated, contemporary, modern, up-to-date, à la mode, happening, in, modish, swank

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dowdy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dowdy:

blowsy, frowsy, slobbish, slobby, sloppy, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy, cheesy, inelegant, styleless, tacky, tasteless, ticky-tacky, trashy, unfashionable, unstylish

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Dowdy

Words with the opposite meaning of Dowdy:

dapper, dashing, dolled up, sharp, smart, spruce, chic, classic, classy, elegant, exquisite, fashionable, fine, posh, ritzy, sophisticated, stylish, tasteful

Related Words for Dowdy

slatternly, chaotic, cluttered, confused, disarranged, disheveled, disordered, messed, messy, muddled, mussed, mussy, rumpled, shaggy, uncombed, wrinkled, shabby, sleazy, besmirched, blackened, dingy, dirty, filthy, foul, grimy, grubby, grungy, mucky, nasty, scroungy

Near Antonyms of Dowdy

modish, combed, groomed, neat, ordered, orderly, tidy, careful, fastidious, fussy, meticulous, clean, cleaned, cleanly, immaculate, sparkling, spotless, stainless, unsoiled, unsullied, appropriate, becoming, correct, fitting, proper, right, seemly, suitable, conservative, genteel

Word Forms of Dowdy

Inflections: dowdier, dowdiest, dowdies

Derived words: dowdily (adverb), dowdiness (noun), dowdyish (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Dowdy

diminutive of dowd dowdy, from Middle English doude

First known use: 1676

Frequently Asked Questions about Dowdy

What does "Dowdy" mean?

"Dowdy" means not neat or becoming in appearance, shabby. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: not neat or becoming in appearance, shabby. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dowdy"?

Other words for "Dowdy" include blowsy, frowsy, slobbish, slobby, sloppy, sloven, slovenly and unkempt. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dowdy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dowdy"?

There are 91 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dowdy". Common alternatives include blowsy, frowsy, slobbish, slobby, sloppy, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy and cheesy.

What is the opposite of "Dowdy"?

Antonyms of "Dowdy" include dapper, dashing, dolled up, sharp, smart, spruce, chic and classic. Near antonyms include modish, combed, groomed and neat.

How do you use "Dowdy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dowdy" in a sentence: "a dowdy old matron"; "the dowdy, beat-up furniture at the cheap motel".

Is "Dowdy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dowdy" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Dowdy"?

"Dowdy" is pronounced /ˈdau̇-dē/.

What is the origin of the word "Dowdy"?

"Dowdy" comes from diminutive of dowd dowdy, from Middle English doude. First known use: 1676.