scabby

[ skab-ee ]

adjective

, scab·bi·er, scab·bi·est.

1. covered with scabs; having many scabs.
2. consisting of scabs.
3. (of an animal or plant) having scab.
4. Informal. mean or contemptible:

   a scabby trick.

scabby

/ ˈskæbɪ /

adjective

1. pathol having an area of the skin covered with scabs
2. obsolete.
   pathol having scabies
3. informal.
   despicable

Derived Forms

• ˈscabbiness, noun
• ˈscabbily, adverb

Other Words From

• scabbi·ly adverb
• scabbi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scabby¹

First recorded in 1520–30; scab + -y ¹

Example Sentences

One was barely alive, her tiny body almost furless, her skin scabby and inflamed, her tail a sparsity of filaments.

From Washington Post

Or scabby, old, fake floral arrangements with more dust than petals.

From The Daily Beast

The sheep get scabby from a microbe under the skin, which causes them to itch fearfully, and they lose their wool.

From Project Gutenberg

When a man grows scabby, take him to the bath, give him a thorough cleaning, put clean clothes on him—and he will get well.

From Project Gutenberg

It was that scabby greenhorn who must have taken it into her head.

From Project Gutenberg

In the whole fair there aren't more than four scabby rams and the Saint Joseph's ass.

From Project Gutenberg

It is mine,” quickly replied Rabbit, “and the little scabby heifer belongs to Elephant.

From Project Gutenberg