dowdy 1
— dowdily , adv. — dowdiness , n. — dowdyish , adj. — dowdyism , n.
/dow"dee/ , adj., dowdier, dowdiest , n. , pl. dowdies .
adj.
1. not stylish; drab; old-fashioned: Why do you always wear those dowdy old dresses?
2. not neat or tidy; shabby.
n.
3. a dowdy woman.
[ 1300-50; ME doude unattractive woman (of uncert. orig.) + -Y 1 or -Y 2 ]
Syn. 1. frumpy.
Ant. 1. fashionable, stylish.
dowdy 2
/dow"dee/ , n. , pl. dowdies .
See apple pandowdy .
[ 1935-40; short form ]