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View synonyms for shabby

shabby

[ shab-ee ]

adjective

, shab·bi·er, shab·bi·est.
  1. impaired by wear, use, etc.; worn:

    shabby clothes.

  2. showing conspicuous signs of wear or neglect:

    The rooms on the upper floors of the mansion had a rather shabby appearance, as if they had not been much in use of late.

  3. wearing worn clothes or having a slovenly or unkempt appearance:

    a shabby person.

  4. run-down, seedy, or dilapidated:

    a shabby hotel.

  5. meanly ungenerous or unfair; contemptible, as persons, actions, etc.:

    shabby behavior.

  6. inferior; not up to par in quality, performance, etc.:

    a shabby rendition of the sonata.



shabby

/ ˈʃæbɪ /

adjective

  1. threadbare or dilapidated in appearance
  2. wearing worn and dirty clothes; seedy
  3. mean, despicable, or unworthy

    shabby treatment

  4. dirty or squalid
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈshabbily, adverb
  • ˈshabbiness, noun
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Other Words From

  • shabbi·ly adverb
  • shabbi·ness noun
  • un·shabbi·ly adverb
  • un·shabby adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of shabby1

1660–70; shab ( Middle English; Old English sceabb scab ) + -y 1; cognate with German schäbig
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Word History and Origins

Origin of shabby1

C17: from Old English sceabb scab + -y 1
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Example Sentences

That reached a peak with "The Apprentice," the reality show whose producers built a set of fake Trump offices, because the real ones were far too shabby.

From Salon

The spinners salvaged an uncertain batting effort against Bangladesh and here they had to make up for a shabby fielding performance, with four dropped catches.

From BBC

It seemed chillingly symbolic that a group carrying a message of reconciliation in this time of extreme violence and conflict should be relegated to such a hidden and shabby spot.

From Salon

By the time the Antocis acquired the brand in 2011, it had dwindled to a single shabby location next to the Grove lined with bulk bins of unique grains and nuts.

By the time the Antocis acquired the brand, it had dwindled to a single shabby location next to the Grove lined with bulk bins of unique grains and nuts.

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Shabbatshabby-genteel