Shoddy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈshä-dē/ shod·dy

Meaning & Definition of Shoddy

Shoddy (noun)

  1. a reclaimed wool from materials that are not felted that is of better quality and longer staple than mungo
  2. a fabric often of inferior quality manufactured wholly or partly from reclaimed wool
  3. inferior, imitative, or pretentious articles or matter

Shoddy (adjective)

  1. made wholly or partly of shoddy
  2. cheaply imitative, vulgarly pretentious
  3. hastily or poorly done, inferior

Shoddy (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. of low quality

    "shoddy merchandise that soon fell to pieces"

    similar: bad, bargain-basement, bum, cheap, cheapjack, cheesy, coarse, common, crappy (slang), cut-rate, el cheapo, execrable, gimcrack, inferior, junky, lousy, low-grade, low-rent, mediocre, miserable, poor, rotten, rubbishy, schlock, second-rate, sleazy, terrible, trashy, trumpery, wretched
    related: useless, valueless, worthless, indifferent, lackluster, second-class, brummagem, flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, kitsch, kitschy, meretricious, ostentatious, showy, splashy, swank, tawdry, seedy, shabby, tacky, counterfeit, fake, phony, sham, supercheap, ultracheap
    opposite: excellent, fine, first-class, first-rate, good, high-grade, superior, top-notch
    near: elegant, handsome, tasteful, handcrafted, polished, refined

  2. not respectable

    "a waterfront area filled with shoddy saloons, tattoo parlors, and houses of prostitution"

    similar: discreditable, disgraceful, dishonorable, disreputable, ignominious, infamous, louche, notorious, opprobrious, shady, shameful, shy, unrespectable
    related: bad, criminal, immoral, seamy, sordid, unethical, unsavory, wicked, base, contemptible, despicable, detestable, dirty, low, mean, miserable, vile, wretched, evil, iniquitous, nefarious, rotten, sinful, unrighteous, vicious, villainous, wrong, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, inglorious, reprehensible, corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, gamy, libertine, loose, perverted, reprobate
    opposite: honorable, reputable, respectable
    near: decent, ethical, good, honest, just, moral, noble, principled, righteous, upright, upstanding, esteemed, prestigious, reputed, respected, authorized, legal, licensed, permissible, permitted, approved, endorsed, sanctioned, clean, correct, decorous, exemplary, proper, seemly, blameless, commendable, creditable, guiltless

Shoddy (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in bastard, duffer

    similar: bastard, brummagem, duffer, simulation, synthetic, fraud, gaff, imposture, spoof, swindle, dummy, mock-up, copy, facsimile, replica, reproduction, copycat, knockoff, counterfeit, fake, forgery, hoax, humbug, phony, sham
    opposite: original

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Shoddy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Shoddy:

Slang: crappy
bad, bargain-basement, bum, cheap, cheapjack, cheesy, coarse, common, cut-rate, el cheapo, execrable, gimcrack, inferior, junky, lousy, low-grade, low-rent, mediocre, miserable, poor, rotten, rubbishy, schlock, second-rate, sleazy, terrible, trashy, trumpery, wretched, discreditable, disgraceful, dishonorable, disreputable, ignominious, infamous, louche, notorious, opprobrious, shady, shameful

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Shoddy

Words with the opposite meaning of Shoddy:

excellent, fine, first-class, first-rate, good, high-grade, superior, top-notch, honorable, reputable, respectable, original

Related Words for Shoddy

useless, valueless, worthless, indifferent, lackluster, second-class, flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, kitsch, kitschy, meretricious, ostentatious, showy, splashy, swank, tawdry, seedy, shabby, tacky, supercheap, ultracheap, criminal, immoral, seamy, sordid, unethical, unsavory, wicked

Near Antonyms of Shoddy

elegant, handsome, tasteful, handcrafted, polished, refined, decent, ethical, honest, just, moral, noble, principled, righteous, upright, upstanding, esteemed, prestigious, reputed, respected, authorized, legal, licensed, permissible, permitted, approved, endorsed, sanctioned, clean, correct

Word Forms of Shoddy

Inflections: shoddier, shoddiest

Derived words: shoddily (adverb), shoddiness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Shoddy

origin unknown

First known use: 1832

Frequently Asked Questions about Shoddy

What does "Shoddy" mean?

"Shoddy" means a reclaimed wool from materials that are not felted that is of better quality and longer staple than mungo. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a reclaimed wool from materials that are not felted that is of better quality and longer staple than mungo. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Shoddy"?

Other words for "Shoddy" include bad, bargain-basement, bum, cheap, cheapjack, cheesy, coarse and common. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Shoddy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Shoddy"?

There are 130 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Shoddy". Common alternatives include bad, bargain-basement, bum, cheap, cheapjack, cheesy, coarse, common, crappy and cut-rate.

What is the opposite of "Shoddy"?

Antonyms of "Shoddy" include excellent, fine, first-class, first-rate, good, high-grade, superior and top-notch. Near antonyms include elegant, handsome, tasteful and handcrafted.

How do you use "Shoddy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Shoddy" in a sentence: "shoddy merchandise that soon fell to pieces"; "a waterfront area filled with shoddy saloons, tattoo parlors, and houses of prostitution".

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

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

How do you pronounce "Shoddy"?

"Shoddy" is pronounced /ˈshä-dē/ and divided into syllables as shod·dy.

What is the origin of the word "Shoddy"?

"Shoddy" comes from origin unknown. First known use: 1832.