Dowdy
adjective
Lacking in stylishness or attractiveness.
She wore a dowdy old dress to the party.
Often appears as...
- dowdy clothes
- dowdy appearance
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A woman who is poorly dressed, untidy and lacks elegance.
She has become a dowdy after giving up on her appearance.
Often appears as...
- a complete dowdy
- look like a dowdy
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Lacking in stylishness or attractiveness.
She wore a dowdy old dress to the party.
Often appears as...
- dowdy clothes
- dowdy appearance
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A woman who is poorly dressed, untidy and lacks elegance.
She has become a dowdy after giving up on her appearance.
Often appears as...
- a complete dowdy
- look like a dowdy
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Using 'dowdy' can imply a critical or negative judgment about someone's fashion sense.
His dowdy attire made him stand out among the well-dressed guests.
Pro Tip 2/3Often Subjective
'Dowdy' may vary in meaning based on personal tastes and cultural norms.
What appeared dowdy to them was trendy and vintage in another community.
Pro Tip 3/3Social Context
'Dowdy' can be inappropriate if it shames someone for their appearance; use with caution.
Whispering that her outfit was dowdy was rude.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Using 'dowdy' can imply a critical or negative judgment about someone's fashion sense.
His dowdy attire made him stand out among the well-dressed guests.
Pro Tip 2/3Often Subjective
'Dowdy' may vary in meaning based on personal tastes and cultural norms.
What appeared dowdy to them was trendy and vintage in another community.
Pro Tip 3/3Social Context
'Dowdy' can be inappropriate if it shames someone for their appearance; use with caution.
Whispering that her outfit was dowdy was rude.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Using 'dowdy' can imply a critical or negative judgment about someone's fashion sense.
His dowdy attire made him stand out among the well-dressed guests.
Pro Tip 2/3Often Subjective
'Dowdy' may vary in meaning based on personal tastes and cultural norms.
What appeared dowdy to them was trendy and vintage in another community.
Pro Tip 3/3Social Context
'Dowdy' can be inappropriate if it shames someone for their appearance; use with caution.
Whispering that her outfit was dowdy was rude.
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Video examples
James Robertson: The...
father's death by the time of the Civil War Lizzie was in her mid forties a small dowdy spinster with dotting blue eyes in seemingly nervous disposition she was a staunch unionist who refused to cooperate in any way with the
Video examples
Nature's Greatest...
dawn breaks with their noisy clamor so the dowdy females can easily locate the groups of displaying names they visit
Video examples
James Robertson: The...
father's death by the time of the Civil War Lizzie was in her mid forties a small dowdy spinster with dotting blue eyes in seemingly nervous disposition she was a staunch unionist who refused to cooperate in any way with the
Video examples
Nature's Greatest...
dawn breaks with their noisy clamor so the dowdy females can easily locate the groups of displaying names they visit
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Mary Berry
British Chef
I hope that I dress for my age. Because there's no need to be dowdy, is there? But I don't go with all the colours that everybody is wearing. I'm not very fond of lime green or orange, so I don't do that. I read all the fashion magazines, but most things are totally unsuitable for somebody of 79.
Quote examples
Jane Green
English Author
The life of a bestselling novelist sounds like it ought to be spectacularly glamorous and fun, but in fact I spend most of my time incognito, and in fact were you to pass me in the street you would think I was just another dowdy suburban mom.
Quote examples
Ivanka Trump
American Businesswoman
While I tend to favor styles that are glamorous, old Hollywood by night and very sleek and tailored during the day, I'm mindful of the fact that I'm 27 years old and try not to make that feel dowdy or old.
Quote examples
Bebe Neuwirth
American Actress
In New York I was always offered the hot, sexy roles. But in L.A. I was offered the plain, dowdy roles. It says a lot about the difference between the coasts.
Quote examples
Catherine Gaskin
Irish Novelist
Woman novelists seem to have a reputation for being dowdy.
Quote examples
Tammy Faye Bakker
American Celebrity
You don't have to be dowdy to be a Christian.
Quote examples
Mary Berry
British Chef
I hope that I dress for my age. Because there's no need to be dowdy, is there? But I don't go with all the colours that everybody is wearing. I'm not very fond of lime green or orange, so I don't do that. I read all the fashion magazines, but most things are totally unsuitable for somebody of 79.
Quote examples
Jane Green
English Author
The life of a bestselling novelist sounds like it ought to be spectacularly glamorous and fun, but in fact I spend most of my time incognito, and in fact were you to pass me in the street you would think I was just another dowdy suburban mom.
Quote examples
Ivanka Trump
American Businesswoman
While I tend to favor styles that are glamorous, old Hollywood by night and very sleek and tailored during the day, I'm mindful of the fact that I'm 27 years old and try not to make that feel dowdy or old.
Quote examples
Bebe Neuwirth
American Actress
In New York I was always offered the hot, sexy roles. But in L.A. I was offered the plain, dowdy roles. It says a lot about the difference between the coasts.
Quote examples
Catherine Gaskin
Irish Novelist
Woman novelists seem to have a reputation for being dowdy.
Quote examples
Tammy Faye Bakker
American Celebrity
You don't have to be dowdy to be a Christian.
Example 1 of 6
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