frowzy

American  

[frou-zee] / ˈfraʊ zi /

Or frouzy

adjective

frowzier, frowziest

1. dirty and untidy; slovenly.

2. ill-smelling; musty.

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frowzy British  

/ ˈfraʊzɪ /

adjective

1. untidy or unkempt in appearance; shabby

2. ill-smelling; frowsty

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Other Word Forms

• frowzily adverb
• frowziness noun

Etymology

Origin of frowzy

First recorded in 1675–85; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

More devastatingly, he finds himself sentenced to live past the Georgian era into the frowzy Victorian age, which could not suit him less, with its “sanctimonious” attitudes and “piety,” as he disdainfully proclaims.

From New York Times • Jun. 6, 2023

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

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

What I want is a mirror, to see if my lipstick is all right, whether the feathers are too ridiculous, too frowzy.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood