Shabby Meaning and Definition
Shabby
Pronunciation
/ˈʃæbi/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Lacking refinement or polish; unkempt or deteriorated; uninviting or unpleasant.
Examples
- The shabby old house needed a lot of repairs.
- After years of neglect, the garden became shabby and overgrown.
Etymology
The word “shabby” originated in the 14th century from the Old English word “scabbe,” meaning ” rough or uncouth.”
Usage Notes
When using “shabby” to describe something, it’s often used to convey a sense of neglect or disrepair. It can also be used to describe something that lacks refinement or polish.
Cultural References
Shabby has been used in various contexts in popular culture, such as in film and literature to describe characters or settings that are unkempt or deteriorated.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Shabby chic: a style that emphasizes worn, distressed, or vintage items.
Related Words or Phrases
- Untidy
- Disheveled
- Ragged
Collocations
- Shabby old
- Shabby clothes
- Shabby apartment
Frequency of Use
According to the Oxford English Corpus, the word “shabby” is used relatively frequently in modern language, particularly in contexts where something is described as unkempt or deteriorated.
Common Misspellings
- Shabey
- Shabbi