dowdy
1 of 3adjective
ˈdau̇-dē 
dowdier; dowdiest
1
: not neat or becoming in appearance : shabby
a dowdy old hat
2
a
: lacking smartness or taste
a dowdy room
b
: old-fashioned
a dowdy institution
dowdily
ˈdau̇-də-lē
adverb dowdiness
ˈdau̇-dē-nəs
noun dowdyish
ˈdau̇-dē-ish
adjective dowdy
2 of 3noun (1)
plural dowdies
archaic
: a dowdy woman
dowdy
3 of 3noun (2)
: pandowdy
Synonyms
Adjective
- blowsy
- blowzy
- frowsy
- frowzy
- slobbish
- slobby
- sloppy
- sloven
- slovenly
- unkempt
- untidy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective She played a dowdy old woman in the film. the dowdy, beat-up furniture at the cheap motel
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
diminutive of dowd dowdy, from Middle English doude
Noun (2)
origin unknown
First Known Use
Adjective
1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (1)
1581, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
1936, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
dowdy
adjective
ˈdau̇-dē
dowdier; dowdiest
1
: not neatly or well dressed or cared for
She plays a dowdy old woman in the movie.
2
: not stylish
a dowdy dress
dowdy
adjective
1
as in sloppy
lacking neatness in dress or person a dowdy old matron Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- sloppy
- wrinkled
- unkempt
- blowsy
- shaggy
- frowsy
- slovenly
- untidy
- sloven
- messy
- slobbish
- blowzy
- slobby
- frowzy
- confused
- filthy
- dirty
- slatternly
- disheveled
- shabby
- chaotic
- rumpled
- cluttered
- dingy
- muddled
- disarranged
- uncombed
- stained
- grimy
- messed
- disordered
- nasty
- grubby
- blackened
- sleazy
- mussy
- mussed
- dishevelled
- scuzzy
- grungy
- unclean
- squalid
- soiled
- sullied
- mucky
- besmirched
- uncleanly
- spotted
- scroungy
- foul
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fashionable
- smart
- dapper
- sharp
- chic
- stylish
- dashing
- spruce
- modish
- neat
- tidy
- orderly
- groomed
- fussy
- combed
- careful
- clean
- fastidious
- immaculate
- spotless
- sparkling
- meticulous
- ordered
- stainless
- dolled up
- cleaned
- unsullied
- unsoiled
- cleanly
2
as in unfashionable
marked by an obvious lack of style or good taste the dowdy, beat-up furniture at the cheap motel Synonyms & Similar Words
- unfashionable
- inappropriate
- tacky
- unstylish
- trashy
- inelegant
- unsuitable
- wrong
- incorrect
- cheesy
- tasteless
- cheap
- styleless
- outmoded
- passé
- ticky-tacky
- loud
- unseemly
- unbecoming
- tawdry
- gaudy
- graceless
- grotesque
- ticky-tack
- out-of-date
- garish
- unrefined
- coarse
- overdone
- showy
- kitschy
- vulgar
- shoddy
- glitzy
- crude
- junky
- sleazy
- flashy
- kitsch
- ostentatious
- common
- inferior
- lousy
- splashy
- second-rate
- low-grade
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fashionable
- elegant
- posh
- sophisticated
- chic
- stylish
- classy
- appropriate
- smart
- fine
- classic
- tasteful
- exquisite
- becoming
- suitable
- right
- fitting
- handsome
- proper
- seemly
- correct
- conservative
- ritzy
- simple
- modern
- quiet
- neat
- genteel
- refined
- restrained
- understated
- contemporary
- swanky
- modish
- in
- happening
- swank
- up-to-date
- à la mode
- a la mode