ratty

[ rat-ee ]

adjective

, rat·ti·er, rat·ti·est.

1. full of rats.
2. of or characteristic of a rat.
3. wretched; shabby:

   a ratty, old overcoat.

4. Slang. irritable or angry; bad-tempered; nasty:

   I always feel ratty when I wake up.

ratty

/ ˈrætɪ /

adjective

1. informal.
   irritable; annoyed
2. informal.
   (of the hair) unkempt or greasy
3. slang.
   shabby; dilapidated
4. slang.
   1. angry
   2. mad
5. of, like, or full of rats

Derived Forms

• ˈrattiness, noun
• ˈrattily, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ratty¹

First recorded in 1860–65; rat + -y ¹

Example Sentences

However, there are a few options to explore when it comes to giving your ratty old masks new life.

From Popular-Science

Whatever the politicians decide, the science of us has come a long way from Watson and Rayner instilling ratty fears in an unsuspecting infant.

From Science News

I honestly can’t remember which manner of ratty Amazon bargain bin chair I had held onto for the last several years, but a month or two into this, I rolled it into the donation pile.

From TechCrunch

Because, for me, the idea of the regal Diane in the ratty warehouse digs is positively tantalizing.

From The Daily Beast

The king got out an old ratty deck of cards after breakfast, and him and the duke played seven-up a while, five cents a game.

From Project Gutenberg

Ratty made no answer—his blood began to cool—he became every moment more sensible that he had received heavy blows.

From Project Gutenberg

I knew wed be sorry if ever we tried stopping over at one of these ratty little towns, muttered George.

From Project Gutenberg

Muskrats I had no sympathy for, they looked so ratty, and had so unpleasant a smell.

From Project Gutenberg

Curfoot, one lank knee over the other, swung his foot thoughtfully to and fro, his ratty eyes lost in dreamy revery.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• worn