# shabby

/ˈʃæbi/ (US) · /ʃˈæbi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shabby
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

looking old and in bad condition because of too much use or lack of care.

For teachers: showing signs of wear and tear; neglected or dilapidated in appearance. Often describes clothing, furniture, or buildings that have lost their original quality.

## Examples

- He wore a shabby old coat to the park.
- The hotel lobby looked a bit shabby, with faded carpets and peeling wallpaper that hadn't been replaced in decades.
- Despite its shabby exterior, the bookstore housed a collection of rare first editions that attracted collectors from across the country.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used both attributively before a noun and predicatively after linking verbs like 'look' or 'become'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.