adj.
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: dowd · i · er ; -est
Date: 1676
1 : not neat or becoming in appearance : SHABBY <a dowdy old hat>
2 a : lacking smartness or taste <a dowdy room> b : OLD-FASHIONED <a dowdy institution>
– dowd · i · ly \ ' dau ̇ -d ə -l ē \ adverb
– dowd · i · ness \ ' dau ̇ -d ē -n ə s \ noun
– dowdy · ish \ -ish \ adjective