shoddy

1 of 2

noun

shod·​dy ˈshä-dē How to pronounce shoddy (audio)
1
a
: a reclaimed wool from materials that are not felted that is of better quality and longer staple than mungo
b
: a fabric often of inferior quality manufactured wholly or partly from reclaimed wool
2
a
: inferior, imitative, or pretentious articles or matter
b
: pretentious vulgarity

shoddy

2 of 2

adjective

shoddier; shoddiest
1
: made wholly or partly of shoddy
2
a
: cheaply imitative : vulgarly pretentious
shoddy merchandise
b
: hastily or poorly done : inferior
shoddy workmanship
c
: shabby, disreputable
shoddy business deals
shoddily adverb
shoddiness noun

Examples of shoddy in a Sentence

Adjective They gave a shoddy performance. shoddy merchandise that soon fell to pieces
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.
Noun
Recycled pop bottles are made into carpets and seat linings, and cotton shoddy—used to make blue jeans—is recycled and turned into sound insulation. Katherine Lagrave, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 July 2018 Only traditional organic feeds such as the shoddy are allowed Craig Ballinger, Slate Magazine, 20 Mar. 2017
Adjective
After a visiting client sees a particularly shoddy bit of work on Enzo’s part, Corelli insists on driving Enzo home to have a word with his parents. Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 14 May 2025 The other is a felon whose shoddy business résumé is laden with bankruptcies. Air Mail, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for shoddy

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shoddy was in 1832

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shoddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shoddy. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

shoddy

adjective
shod·​dy
ˈshäd-ē
shoddier; shoddiest
: poorly done or made
shoddy construction
shoddy furniture
shoddily
ˈshäd-ᵊl-ē
adverb
shoddiness
ˈshäd-ē-nəs
noun

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