frowzy
Americanadjective
-
dirty and untidy; slovenly.
-
ill-smelling; musty.
adjective
-
untidy or unkempt in appearance; shabby
-
ill-smelling; frowsty
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of frowzy
First recorded in 1675–85; origin uncertain
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Each year, right about now, I want to declare it Throw-in-the-Trowel-Week, as the aftermath of spring’s tender, joyous effusion goes beyond charmingly fuzzy to just plain frowzy and tattered.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 13, 2021
The excellent Ms. Rogers returns as Harry’s frowzy helpmeet, a woman narcotized by monotony, who can still put on the dog for a handsome stranger.
From New York Times • Feb. 5, 2018
A frowzy mourning of soot and smoke attired this forlorn creation of Barnard, and it had strewed ashes on its head, and was undergoing penance and humiliation as a mere dust-hole.
From The New Yorker • Dec. 28, 2016
However, I can opine about a cappella uniforms as a style choice—they put the F in frowzy, and two F’s in naff.
From Slate • May 14, 2015
They brought Frankie in very dirty and frowzy.
From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
