adjective
dowdy
DOW-dee
Dowdy (adjective) means Old-fashioned and unattractive in style, especially of clothing. Example: “She complained that the uniform made her look dowdy.”
adjective
1
Old-fashioned and unattractive in style, especially of clothing.
"She complained that the uniform made her look dowdy."
"The hotel lobby had a dowdy, dated decor."
How to use dowdy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnfashionable and drab, usually describing clothes or style.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
dowdy dress
dowdy look
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Word forms
- Plural
- dowdies
- Third person singular
- dowdies
- Past tense
- dowdied
- Comparative
- dowdier
- Superlative
- dowdiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She complained that the uniform made her look _____.
Etymology
First recorded around 1581; probably related to "dow," a Scots word meaning to fade or wither.
Class of 1581
dowdy joined the language around 1581.
See the full Class of 1581 →
Related words
Rhymes for dowdy
See all rhymes for dowdy →Frequently asked questions
What does “dowdy” mean?
The word “dowdy” means old-fashioned and unattractive in style, especially of clothing. In plain terms, unfashionable and drab, usually describing clothes or style.
How do you pronounce “dowdy”?
“Dowdy” is pronounced DOW-dee (/ˈdaʊdi/ in IPA).
How do you use “dowdy” in a sentence?
Here is “dowdy” used in a sentence: “She complained that the uniform made her look dowdy.”
What part of speech is “dowdy”?
“Dowdy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “dowdy” come from?
The word “dowdy” dates back to around 1581. First recorded around 1581; probably related to "dow," a Scots word meaning to fade or wither.
