frowzy

American  

[frau-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

• frowziness
  noun
• frowzily
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of frowzy

First recorded in 1675–85; origin uncertain

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

frowzy frowziest

While Berenger attempts to atone for his ill grace at their last meeting, a frowzy, bedridden Jean becomes increasingly antagonistic—and animalistic.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

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

Hader swigged kombucha, looking maximally frowzy; walking through the set, he’d muttered, “Dishevelled weirdo coming through.”

From The New Yorker ● Mar. 11, 2019

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

Ms. Staunton, a magnificent Momma Rose in “Gypsy” two years ago, is surely the frowziest, most compellingly neurotic Sally ever.

From New York Times ● Nov. 22, 2017

To transform one of Manhattan's frowziest avenues into a thing of beauty would be a man-size job.

From Time Magazine Archive

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