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

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

A man with a scruffy beard and cutoff sweatpants who declined to give his name, said that he didn’t think the candidate’s time in fast food was of “merit.”

From Los Angeles Times

This was an abysmal return, a scruffy end-of-tour performance from a side that have already lost the series.

From BBC

What I found was pain and stress and a blue-eyed scruffy Italian guy from North Jersey.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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