attributive. That provokes sympathy, or compassion; that is to be pitied; unfortunate, wretched, hapless.

Of clothes, etc.: Mean, wretched.

In extended use: squalid, poverty-stricken, shabby; sparse, threadbare.

Often used ironically. Cf. you're (also he's, she's, etc.) a fine one to talk at phrases 8 all very fine at all, adj. pron.n. adv.conj. phrases 27b.

Paltry; mean, shabby.

Insignificant, shabby, paltry, of poor appearance.

Used ironically.

transferred. Discreditably inferior in quality, making a poor appearance.

shabby-looking; having a suspicious or disreputable appearance; feeble, of little account.

slang. In ironic use: ‘fine’, ‘prize’. Obsolete.

transferred. Continuous, constant. Used colloquially as a vague expression of disapproval: bad, intense, severe, objectionable; also something chronic…

Dowdy, shabby; in poor taste, cheap, vulgar. Also in combinations, as tacky-looking adj. colloquial (originally and chiefly U.S.).

That shambles, shambling; awkward, ungainly; disorganized, ramshackle, rickety.

Of clothes, decoration, etc.: shabby, tawdry, cheap.

Originally U.S. slang. Of inferior quality; cheap, ‘tacky’. Cf. downmarket, adj.

Dirty, grimy; sleazy, shabby, or tatty.