Shabby — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈsha-bē/ shab·by

Meaning & Definition of Shabby

Shabby (adjective)

  1. clothed with worn or seedy garments
  2. threadbare and faded from wear
  3. ill-kept, dilapidated

Shabby (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect

    "shabby wallpaper that was peeling from the walls"

    similar: beat-up, bombed-out, dilapidated, dog-eared, down-at-the-heels, dumpy, grungy, mangy, mean, miserable, moth-eaten, neglected, ratty, run-down, scrubby, scruffy, seedy, sleazy, tacky, tatterdemalion, tatty, threadbare, timeworn, tumbledown, gone to seed
    related: abandoned, unkept, desolate, forlorn, godforsaken, broken-down, decrepit, tired, worn-out, bedraggled, dingy, ragged, tattered, decaying, deteriorated, deteriorating, rackety, ramshackle, rattletrap, rickety, broken, damaged, destroyed, harmed, hurt, impaired, injured, ruined, wrecked
    near: brand-new, fresh, new, cared-for, kept-up, maintained, mended, patched, rebuilt, reconstructed, smart, spiffy, spruce

  2. worn or torn into or as if into rags

    "shabby, stained clothes that are barely better than rags"

    similar: frayed, ragged, raggedy, ratty, seedy, tattered, threadbare, worn-out
    related: dowdy, scruffy, tatterdemalion, dingy, faded, lacerate, shredded, holey, patchy, broken-down, decrepit, dilapidated, dog-eared, grungy, mangy, moth-eaten, run-down, scuzzy (slang), tacky
    near: brand-new, new, spick-and-span, unused

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Shabby

The most common words with a similar meaning to Shabby:

beat-up, bombed-out, dilapidated, dog-eared, down-at-the-heels, dumpy, grungy, mangy, mean, miserable, moth-eaten, neglected, ratty, run-down, scrubby, scruffy, seedy, sleazy, tacky, tatterdemalion, tatty, threadbare, timeworn, tumbledown, frayed, ragged, raggedy, tattered, worn-out, gone to seed

Related Words for Shabby

abandoned, unkept, desolate, forlorn, godforsaken, broken-down, decrepit, tired, bedraggled, dingy, decaying, deteriorated, deteriorating, rackety, ramshackle, rattletrap, rickety, broken, damaged, destroyed, harmed, hurt, impaired, injured, ruined, wrecked, dowdy, faded, lacerate, shredded

Near Antonyms of Shabby

brand-new, fresh, new, cared-for, kept-up, maintained, mended, patched, rebuilt, reconstructed, smart, spiffy, spruce, spick-and-span, unused

Word Forms of Shabby

Inflections: shabbier, shabbiest

Derived words: shabbily (adverb), shabbiness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Shabby

obsolete English shab a low fellow

First known use: 1669

Words & Phrases Containing Shabby

shabby chic, not (too) shabby

Frequently Asked Questions about Shabby

What does "Shabby" mean?

"Shabby" means clothed with worn or seedy garments. As an adjective, it is defined as: clothed with worn or seedy garments. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Shabby"?

Other words for "Shabby" include beat-up, bombed-out, dilapidated, dog-eared, down-at-the-heels, dumpy, grungy and mangy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Shabby" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Shabby"?

There are 63 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Shabby". Common alternatives include beat-up, bombed-out, dilapidated, dog-eared, down-at-the-heels, dumpy, grungy, mangy, mean and miserable.

How do you use "Shabby" in a sentence?

Examples of "Shabby" in a sentence: "shabby wallpaper that was peeling from the walls"; "shabby, stained clothes that are barely better than rags".

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

"Shabby" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Shabby"?

"Shabby" is pronounced /ˈsha-bē/ and divided into syllables as shab·by.

What is the origin of the word "Shabby"?

"Shabby" comes from obsolete English shab a low fellow. First known use: 1669.

What is another word for "Shabby" meaning "showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect"?

When "Shabby" (adjective) means showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect, synonyms include beat-up, bombed-out, dilapidated, dog-eared, down-at-the-heels and dumpy.