blowsy

or blowz·y

[ blou-zee ]

adjective

, blows·i·er, blows·i·est

1. having a coarse, ruddy complexion.
2. disheveled in appearance; unkempt.

blowsy

/ ˈblaʊzɪ /

adjective

1. (esp of a woman) untidy in appearance; slovenly or sluttish
2. (of a woman) ruddy in complexion; red-faced

Derived Forms

• ˈblowsiness, noun
• ˈblowsily, adverb

Other Words From

• blowsi·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of blowsy¹

First recorded in 1760–70; obsolete blowze “wench” (of uncertain origin) + -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of blowsy¹

C18: from dialect blowze beggar girl, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Another one of Haskins’ quilts, “Peacocks in Purple,” worked in tonal shades of purple and blue with green accents, hung in the garden framed by blowsy hydrangeas blooms in a similar color palette.

From Seattle Times

Today’s blowsy sweet peas descend from a wildling discovered by a Sicilian monk in the late 17th century.

From Seattle Times

The garden’s blowsy beauty is enhanced by plants left to go to seed, like the ferny fluffs of asparagus and fennel, and the tumbled masses of red- and gold-tinged orach.

From Seattle Times

On Lucy’s introduction to Lily, a voluble, oversharing type who in the 1950s might have been characterized as “blowsy,” the two seem unlikely friends.

From New York Times

There was something rather blowsy about roses in full bloom, something shallow and raucous, like women with untidy hair.

From Literature

Related Words

• antiquated
• dingy
• drab
• frumpy
• run down
• shabby
• unkempt