Word Adjective
scruffy
adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈskɹəfi/ UK /skɹˈʌfi/ scruffy
Definition
adj.looking messy, disorganized, or slightly dirty. You use this to describe someone who does not take care of their appearance or a place that is not clean.
adj.having a disheveled, untidy, or slightly unkempt appearance. Often used to describe physical appearance or the state of a room or building.
Examples
“He looked a bit scruffy after the long hike.”
“The old library had a scruffy look, with books stacked haphazardly on every available surface.”
“Despite the building's scruffy exterior, the interior was surprisingly well-maintained, suggesting that the residents were proud of their modest home.”
Etymology
From scruff + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated