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Synonyms

scruffy

American  
[skruhf-ee] / ˈskrʌf i /

adjective

scruffier, scruffiest

  1. untidy; shabby.

scruffy British  
/ ˈskrʌfɪ /

adjective

  1. unkempt or shabby

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of scruffy

First recorded in 1650–60; scruff 2 + -y 1

Vocabulary lists containing scruffy

Carrie Fisher (1956-2016) Tribute List

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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.

Scruffy, awkward and every-dude relatable, he was the perfect anti-Hollywood mascot for Generation X.

From New York Times • Dec. 17, 2021

Scruffy Green Berets mingled among bearded locals armed with AK-47s.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2021

We haven't been to Scruffy Murphy since the quarantine period started in Singapore and it's great to be back!

From BBC • Aug. 1, 2020

Scruffy and slurry, Hunt pursues Forrest from Texas to Missouri, piecing together the career of a criminal who’s motivated less by greed than pure vocation.

From Washington Post • Oct. 2, 2018

When they were about ten feet away from Duke’s front porch, Scruffy spat out the flowers he was carrying in his mouth.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

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.