bedraggled

American  

[bih-drag-uhld] / bɪˈdræg əld /

adjective

1. limp and soiled, as with rain or dirt.

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bedraggled British  

/ bɪˈdræɡəld /

adjective

1. (of hair, clothing, etc) limp, untidy, or dirty, as with rain or mud

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Other Word Forms

• unbedraggled adjective

Etymology

Origin of bedraggled

bedraggle + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Running a hand through her wet hair creates a grim mental picture: emerging from the shelter to find reporters in the neighborhood, trying to interview her while she looks like a bedraggled cat.

From Literature

He looked bedraggled, but was gazing curiously down at the two dogs slavering beneath him.

From Literature

While I was at this, a musher came along, a woman with a team of bedraggled dogs.

From Literature

I turned back to watch the miracle man as he surveyed his bedraggled troops, his young face pinched with worry.

From Literature

The map was safely stowed in his pocket, wet and bedraggled but still readable.

From Literature

Related Words

• disheveled
• run down
• seedy
• threadbare
• untidy