Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Dowdy
Dow′dy
,Adj.
[
Com
par.
Dowdier
; sup
erl.
Dowdiest
.] [Scot.
dawdie
slovenly, daw
, da
sluggard, drab, Prov. E. dowd
flat, dead.] Showing a vulgar taste in dress; awkward and slovenly in dress; vulgar-looking.
– Dow′di-ly
(#)
, adv.
Dow′di-ness
, Noun.
Dow′dy
,Noun.
pl.
Dowdies
. An awkward, vulgarly dressed, inelegant woman.
Shak. Dryden.
Webster 1828 Edition
Dowdy
DOWDY
,Noun.
DOWDY
,Adj.
Definition 2025
dowdy
dowdy
English
Adjective
dowdy (comparative dowdier, superlative dowdiest)
- Plain and unfashionable in style or dress.
- Lacking stylishness or neatness; shabby.
- 1891, Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
- [...she was] a perfect saint amongst women, but so dreadfully dowdy that she reminded one of a badly bound hymn-book.
- 1891, Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Derived terms
Translations
plain and unfashionable in style or dress
lacking stylishness or neatness; shabby
Noun
dowdy (plural dowdies)
- A plain or shabby woman.