Frowsy

Describing a person or thing that is unkempt, messy, and slovenly in appearance or condition. It implies a lack of care and attention to neatness, often associated with a slightly dishevelled and generally unattractive state. This can apply to physical appearance (hair, clothing, surroundings) or to an abstract concept like ideas. The word often carries a hint of neglect or a lack of self-regard. It may suggest a down-at-heel or generally unkempt lifestyle or state of being. The overall impression created by something frowsy is one of a lack of order and cleanliness.

Frowsy meaning with examples

• The old cottage had a frowsy appearance, with peeling paint, overgrown weeds, and a generally neglected air. Inside, dusty furniture and cluttered surfaces reinforced the impression of a space that had been largely ignored. Everything seemed in a state of disrepair, reflecting the indifference of the owner, making it somewhat gloomy.
• After a long, sleepless night, Sarah woke with frowsy hair and smudged makeup, a stark contrast to her usual polished appearance. She felt anything but attractive, like a shadow of her typical self. The rumpled clothes from the night prior didn't help her already disheveled feeling, making her even more self-conscious.
• The library's corner used to be a space where people could get some quiet reading in. Now, after the remodel and the arrival of new books, it resembled a frowsy storage room with overflowing boxes and disorganized stacks. It needed some serious decluttering to recover the space and give it a more appealing appearance. The disarray reflected a lack of order.
• The artist, known for her vibrant paintings, had a surprisingly frowsy studio, filled with paint-splattered canvases and haphazardly strewn brushes. She didn't care for neatness. There was a beauty to this messy room. Despite the untidiness, the creative chaos seemed to fuel her inspiration, as she felt her creative flow would be constricted by cleanliness.
• His frowsy apartment was a reflection of his chaotic life. Dishes piled in the sink, clothes scattered across the floor, and unopened mail littered the table, creating an environment of neglected domesticity. It was the type of space that makes people feel immediately uneasy, and his social life probably reflected the same disorder.