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shabby

[ˈʃæbi]

shabby Definition

  • 1in poor condition through long or hard use or lack of care
  • 2wearing old and torn clothes
  • 3unfair or dishonorable

Using shabby: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "shabby" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The hotel was shabby and in need of renovation.

  • Example

    He wore a shabby coat and trousers.

  • Example

    It was a shabby trick to play on someone.

  • Example

    The company's shabby treatment of its employees led to a strike.

shabby Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for shabby

Idioms Using shabby

  • a person or thing that is a poor imitation of something else

    Example

    The new restaurant is a shabby shadow of the original, with poor service and low-quality food.

  • shabby-genteel poverty

    the state of being poor but trying to maintain an appearance of refinement or elegance

    Example

    She lived in shabby-genteel poverty, with threadbare curtains and antique furniture.

  • unfair or disrespectful behavior towards someone

    Example

    The shabby treatment of the workers led to a strike.

Phrases with shabby

  • a style of interior design that uses furniture and decor that appear to be pleasantly old and slightly worn

    Example

    Her apartment is decorated in shabby chic style, with vintage furniture and floral patterns.

  • shabby-genteel

    a person or thing that appears to be genteel or refined but is actually poor or in bad condition

    Example

    The hotel was shabby-genteel, with faded carpets and chandeliers that needed cleaning.

  • unfair or disrespectful behavior towards someone

    Example

    The shabby treatment of the workers led to a strike.

Origins of shabby

from Old English 'sceabbig', meaning 'scabby'

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Summary: shabby in Brief

The term 'shabby' [ˈʃæbi] describes something in poor condition due to long use or lack of care, such as a hotel or clothing. It can also refer to unfair or dishonorable behavior, as in 'It was a shabby trick to play on someone.' The phrase 'shabby chic' denotes a style of interior design that uses vintage furniture and decor, while 'shabby-genteel' describes something that appears refined but is actually poor. Idioms like 'a shabby shadow' and 'shabby-genteel poverty' describe poor imitations of something else.

How do native speakers use this expression?