i Register
In some senses, shabby is marked as figuratively, archaic. Watch for register when choosing this word.
shabby
/ˈʃæbi/
adj 5verb 2
Collocations
5ADJ.
chic, far, flat, little, old, old, over, short
VERB + SHABBY
call, come, doing, eating, flew, get, look, looking
SHABBY + NOUN
bait, bed, clothes, comparison, compartment, furniture, restaurant, skirt
PREP.
except, in, into, out, up, with, with
ADV.
apparently, rather
Definitions
adj
1
Of clothing, a place, etc.: unkempt and worn or otherwise in poor condition due to age or neglect; scruffy.
They lived in a tiny apartment, with some old, shabby furniture.
[A]s there was a stream of people pouring into a shabby house not far from the entrance, he waited until they had made their way in, […]
2
Of a person: wearing ragged or very worn, and often dirty, clothing.
The fellow arrived looking rather shabby after journeying so far.
The ſame gentleman, vvhenever he vvanted credit for a ſuit of cloaths, alvvays made the propoſal in a laced coat; for he found by experience, that, if he appeared ſhabby on theſe occaſions, his taylor had taken an oath againſt truſting; […]
3
Of a person, their behaviour, etc.: despicable, mean; also, not generous; stingy, tight-fisted.
shabby treatment
It was voted a shabby excuse.
4
Poor in quality; also, showing little effort or talent.
His painting is not too shabby.
[M]y Lord Duke's entertainments were both ſeldom and ſhabby […]
5
Poor in quality; also, showing little effort or talent.
verb
1
To make (something) shabby (adjective adjective sense 1); to shabbify.
2
To become shabby; to shabbify.
You'll be one of those tough, square, solid middle-aged men, like a shabbying brown bear, your golden crew-cut greying judiciously at the temples.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
adjective — showing signs of wear and tear
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
They lived in a tiny apartment, with some old, shabby furniture.
Wiktionary02
[A]s there was a stream of people pouring into a shabby house not far from the entrance, he waited until they had made their way in, […]
Wiktionary03
[C]ommonplace books are generally new, or at least in fine bindings. And here was a shabby little old book, such as, if it had been commonplace, would not have been likely to be the companion of a you
Wiktionary04
You'll be one of those tough, square, solid middle-aged men, like a shabbying brown bear, your golden crew-cut greying judiciously at the temples.
Wiktionary05
Apparently that shabby flat is vacant.
Tatoeba · #3834206
The room was empty except for a shabby bed.
Tatoeba · #44241Usage Notes
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