scruffy Hear it!

scruffy Definition

scruffy (skrufē)

adjective scruffi·er, scruffi·est

shabby, unkempt, or untidy; grubby

Etymology: < dial. scruff, var. of scurf + -y

scruffy Related Forms
scruffi·ly adverb scruffi·ness noun
scruffy Usage Examples

Preposition: in

  • appearance: They were both quite scruffy in appearance - perhaps to blend in with the assumed appearance of shoplifters.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • look: I tend to leave it be and it ends up looking a bit scruffy.

Modifies a noun

  • jean: Don't go overboard, but don't turn up on your date in scruffy jeans and T-shirt either.
  • clothes: Back then, it was basic, down-to-earth photographs, taken in scruffy clothes or backstage changing rooms.
  • hair: He would have a low opinion of my scruffy hair.
  • kid: Not bad for three scruffy kids from a north western satellite town.
  • dog: Small dogs, scruffy dogs, Big dogs, fluffy dogs.
  • appearance: He said one man was smartly dressed in a blue suit, and the other was of a scruffy appearance.

Modifying Another Word

  • slightly: His clothes are, if anything, slightly scruffy.
  • rather: A rather scruffy looking Wesley Kerr then sniffed his was a location " far too grand to be on any Monopoly board.
  • quite: We know ' cause we're quite scruffy ourselves!
  • too: I rarely got any and when I did they were usually too scruffy to return to the shelves.
  • very: Some very scruffy travelers were enjoying a beer in the last of the afternoon sun.
  • not: Attend our seminar Prepare for the Fair here at the Careers Service Dress can be formal or smart casual - not scruffy!

Used with adjective complement

  • look: The reason for going for the quality option is mostly for comfort, but also because cheaper clothes can look scruffy very quickly.

Browse dictionary entries near scruffy

  1. scruff
  2. scrubwoman
  3. scrubs
  4. scrubland
  5. scrubby
  6. scrubbing
  7. scrubber
  8. scrubbed
  9. scrub typhus
  10. scrub
  1. scrum
  2. scrummage
  3. scrumptious
  4. scrunch
  5. scruple
  6. scruples
  7. scrupulous
  8. scrupulously
  9. scrutable
  10. scrutinize