shabby

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "shabby" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is worn out and not in good condition. Example: That old chair looks really shabby.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He particularly enjoys the cool breeze of the ocean and access to water for cleaning, though he's disgruntled with the exponential increase of kodi (rent) when moving from old and shabby to new and expensive.

The Guardian

After almost two decades of planning and six years of building, the transformation of King's Cross station from a shabby crime spot to a gleaming public space has been completed with the opening of a 7,000 sq metre (75,000 sq ft) plaza, revealing the original brick facade for the first time in 150 years.

The Guardian

He was cast as a lonely drifter, a man obsessed with stalking young women and hacking them to death with a kitchen knife in shabby bedsits.

The Guardian

Updated at 11.37pm AEST Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 9.48pm AEST12:48 — Geordie Williamson (@gamwilliamson) May 11, 2014 The Dutch have always disgusted me with their impeccable command of English - obviously an EU plot to make our political class look shabby.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Although he gave no names, many of the 18 were easy enough to divine; no shabby bleep test result could ever deny Gigi Buffon or Andrea Pirlo their place on the plane to Brazil.

The Guardian - Sport

The band were not too shabby either, moving from beep-beep experimentalists to fully fledged pop band within a couple of years, complete with fractured egos and the traditional musical differences along the way.

The Guardian - Music

He relished exacting brutal revenge for the four straight wins Sunderland recorded against his Newcastle side while reminding his former north-east public he is not so shabby a manager after all.

The Guardian - Sport

Not shabby, but hindered by its crime record.

The Guardian

On Friday, David Ford, Northern Ireland's justice minister and leader of the centrist Alliance party, described the scheme for the IRA on-the-runs as a "shabby little side deal between Tony Blair, Jonathan Powell and Sinn Fein".

The Guardian

Robert Hamer's Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) was set in Edwardian England; Alexander Mackendrick's The Ladykillers (1955) takes place in shabby postwar London.

The Guardian

We might be in a shabby hall with only three pre-booked seats for the entire run, but we had the Bard of Avon and a crumhorn dumb show to mark us out from the herd.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shabby" to describe items or places that show signs of wear and tear due to age or lack of maintenance. It effectively conveys a sense of neglect or decline.

Common error

Avoid using "shabby" to describe someone's moral character directly. While you can describe actions as "shabby treatment", using it to characterize a person's inherent qualities might be misconstrued. Opt for words like "despicable" or "dishonorable" instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "shabby" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe their state of disrepair, wear, or general poor condition. Ludwig shows this usage is consistent across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shabby" is an adjective used to describe something worn, neglected, or in poor condition. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It functions to convey negative qualities, maintaining a neutral formality level. While it’s best used for describing physical conditions, avoid applying it directly to characterize a person's moral qualities. Consider alternatives like ""run down"", "dilapidated", or "worn out" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

run-down

Focuses on the deteriorated condition, suggesting neglect and disrepair.

dilapidated

Emphasizes a state of disrepair, often due to age or neglect, implying structural damage.

worn-out

Highlights the result of prolonged use, indicating a loss of condition or effectiveness.

decrepit

Suggests advanced age and decay, often applying to buildings or objects in a state of near collapse.

tattered

Implies a state of being torn or ragged, typically referring to fabric or paper.

threadbare

Specifically refers to fabric that is worn thin, with the threads showing.

seedy

Suggests a run-down and slightly disreputable condition, often associated with urban environments.

squalid

Emphasizes the dirty and wretched condition of something, often due to poverty or neglect.

unkempt

Refers to a lack of grooming or tidiness, suggesting neglect or disorganization.

poor quality

Directly indicates that something is not of a high standard.

FAQs

How can I use "shabby" in a sentence?

You can use "shabby" to describe the physical condition of something, such as "The old house looked "run down" and shabby".

What are some synonyms for "shabby"?

Some synonyms for "shabby" include "worn out", "dilapidated", and "tattered", each suggesting a different aspect of wear and tear.

Is it appropriate to describe a person as "shabby"?

While you can describe someone's clothing or appearance as "shabby", it's generally better to avoid describing a person directly as "shabby" in terms of character. Consider using alternative adjectives like "despicable" or "dishonorable" instead, depending on the context.

What's the difference between "shabby" and "seedy"?

"Shabby" primarily describes the physical condition of something worn or neglected, while "seedy" implies a combination of run-down appearance and a disreputable or slightly immoral atmosphere. A "run down" motel might be described as seedy.