What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
frumpy
Example
She wore a frumpy dress to the party. [frumpy: adjective]
Example
The frumpiness of her outfit made her look older than she was. [frumpiness: noun]
unfashionable
Example
Her outfit was unfashionable and out of date. [unfashionable: adjective]
Example
He refused to wear anything that was unfashionable or not on-trend. [unfashionable: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unfashionable is more commonly used than frumpy in everyday language. Unfashionable is a versatile term that can be used to describe a wider range of products or items, while frumpy is less common and more specific to clothing or appearance.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between frumpy and unfashionable?
Both frumpy and unfashionable are informal terms that can be used in casual conversation. However, unfashionable can also be used in more formal contexts, such as academic writing or business communication, where frumpy would be less appropriate.