scruffier; scruffiest
: unkempt, slovenly, shaggy
a scruffy neighborhood
a scruffy beard
scruffily adverb
scruffiness noun

Examples of scruffy in a Sentence

The neighborhood is full of dilapidated houses with scruffy backyards. dressed in scruffy old clothes to clean out the garage
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Moore showed off a fresh haircut and his scruffy salt-and-pepper beard in the selfie. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024 The look: Dog ears, scruffy hair, a collar and leash for one person, and large nets for any others. Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024 That, scruffy hospitality reminds us, is who your friends want to hang out with anyway. Miranda Rake, Parents, 8 Oct. 2024 The Prince of Wales showed off his new scruffy beard while appearing on behalf of King Charles II at the Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. Tracy Wright, Fox News, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for scruffy 

Word History

Etymology

scruff, metathetic variant of scurf (also with senses "something worthless or contemptible, contemptible person") + -y entry 1

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scruffy was in 1871

Dictionary Entries Near scruffy

Cite this Entry

“Scruffy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scruffy. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

scruffy

adjective
scruffier; scruffiest
: dirty or shabby in appearance
a scruffy beard

More from Merriam-Webster on scruffy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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