dowdy

Definition

Plain and unfashionable in style or dress.

Etymology

First appears c. 1581. Origin uncertain, probably literally "little poorly dressed woman," formed from doue, "poorly dressed woman". Possibly also related to the Scots dow, meaning to "fade".

Example Sentences

• "[...she was] a perfect saint amongst women, but so dreadfully dowdy that she reminded one of a badly bound hymn-book."
• "Miss Marina Thompson, a distant cousin of my husband's. She's rather dowdy, is she not?"
• "“Ha! Shagging a chair is quite odd.” “Its legs were very sexy. And I know how you are, so I expected a challenge. What did you turn into anyway?” “Oh, the dowdiest mortal woman. You should have seen it.” “Oh, I would have been all over that.” “I know!”"