English Explanatory Dictionary

dowdy

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Plain and unfashionable in style or dress.
  2. Lacking stylishness or neatness; shabby.
noun
  1. A plain or shabby person.
verb
  1. To press the crust into the filling during baking, to allow the juices to caramelize on top.
name
  1. A surname from Irish.

Pronunciation

dou'dē /ˈdaʊdi/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-dowdy.wav

Word forms

dowdy dowdier dowdiest dowdies dowdying dowdied Dowdys

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".

Derived words

dowd dowdify dowdily dowdiness dowdyish dowdyism dowdy up figgy-dowdy pandowdy
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