scruffy

[ skruhf-ee ]

adjective

, scruff·i·er, scruff·i·est.

1. untidy; shabby.

scruffy

/ ˈskrʌfɪ /

adjective

1. unkempt or shabby

Word History and Origins

Origin of scruffy¹

First recorded in 1650–60; scruff ² + -y ¹

Example Sentences

With his Buddy Holly glasses, scruffy boho beard, floppy hair and turtleneck sweater, Adams — who is called the Big Lad — is lazily charismatic, with the precociously paternal air of a cool, or seemingly cool, assistant professor — he calls Dolours, who in real life was only two years younger, “child.”

From Los Angeles Times

Her three male bandmates are stylishly scruffy and tattooed rockers: guitarist Declan Mehrtens, drummer Bryce Wilson and bassist Gus Romer.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s why watching swearing Aussies fall in love while they care for a scruffy pup with wheel-aided hind legs is the soothing balm our brains need right now.

From Los Angeles Times

Ivy says his scruffy beard and “menopause cardigan” make him look like a “ghetto Papa Smurf.”

From Los Angeles Times

Hoffman plays a character named Ratso Rizzo, who's a scruffy guy — and the car pushes against him and he slams the hood of the car and says "I'm walking here."

From Salon

Related Words

• seedy
• shabby
• tacky
• tattered
• threadbare
• unkempt