draggle-tailed

[ drag-uhl-teyld ]

adjective

1. untidy; bedraggled; slovenly.

Word History and Origins

Origin of draggle-tailed¹

First recorded in 1645–55; draggle-tail + -ed ³

Example Sentences

It was dreadful, but she would have done it if the flock of draggle-tailed sparrows on the hedge had been human beings, for she was very far gone indeed, and quite regardless of everything but her own happiness.

From Literature

They were all dirty and in plain shorts or draggle-tailed knickers or old everyday dresses.

From Literature

Running down the long hall, she peeped out at both doors, but saw nothing feathered except a draggle-tailed chicken under a burdock leaf.

From Project Gutenberg

“Oh, one got rusty and the other draggle-tailed, I suppose,” he said.

From Project Gutenberg

A shamefaced, miserable, draggle-tailed crew they looked, as, one after the other, under the policeman's cold official glance, they took their boxes out into the street.

From Project Gutenberg