droopy

American  

[droo-pee] / ˈdru pi /

adjective

droopier, droopiest

1. hanging down; sagging.

2. lacking in spirit or courage; disheartened; dejected.

   Synonyms:

   forlorn, subdued, depressed, doleful, downcast, downhearted, discouraged, despondent, dispirited

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droopy British  

/ ˈdruːpɪ /

adjective

1. hanging or sagging downwards

   a droopy moustache

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Other Word Forms

• droopily
  adverb
• droopiness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of droopy

First recorded in 1200–50, droopy is from the Middle English word drupi. See droop, -y ¹

Explanation

Something that's droopy flops or sags limply. A droopy plant might need water — or you might have watered it too much. Your dog might have adorably droopy ears, especially if he's a hound or a spaniel. You could also despair over your droopy hairdo, especially if you intended for it to spring up in curls instead of hanging limply down your back. You might also feel droopy after running a race on a hot day. The original meaning of droopy was "sad or gloomy," which most likely comes from the Old Norse drupr, "drooping spirits."

Example Sentences

William, who Rona chirpily informs us has “a rare mucous membrane disorder,” is happy to get “lugubrious”: “Meaning extremely sad and droopy? A topic I am all too familiar with.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025

The illness started last summer with headaches, blurry vision and a droopy face, alarming doctors at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.

From Seattle Times • May 13, 2024

The only trick that both Sandonato and Stevens vouched for is sticking a pin through the stem of droopy flowers about an inch below the bloom.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2023

“They melt into droopy brown blossoms that look really awful, like melted chocolate,” he said.

From Washington Times • Feb. 23, 2023

Nor was it long and droopy in the walrus style.

From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl