What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dowdy
Example
She wore a dowdy dress to the party. [dowdy: adjective]
Example
He looked dowdy in his old-fashioned suit. [dowdy: adjective]
frumpy
Example
She looked frumpy in her oversized sweater. [frumpy: adjective]
Example
He dressed frumpily for the job interview. [frumpily: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Frumpy is more commonly used than dowdy in everyday language. Frumpy is a versatile word that can be used to describe a wide range of unattractive clothing or accessories, while dowdy is less common and often associated with older styles.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dowdy and frumpy?
Both dowdy and frumpy are informal words that are not typically used in formal contexts.
