scruffy

scruffy — adjective

1. having a look that is messy and not fully clean, usually because someone has not

1.adjectiveC2
Definition

having a look that is messy and not fully clean, usually because someone has not taken care of their appearance or surroundings for some time.

Example

The scruffy man at the bus stop wore a torn coat and muddy shoes.

attributive: scruffy + noun (person)

After three days without sleep, Yumi looked too scruffy to go to the office.

predicative: look + scruffy

Common collocations
  • scruffy appearance
  • scruffy clothes
  • scruffy hair
  • scruffy beard
  • scruffy dog
  • scruffy old jacket
  • scruffy neighbourhood
  • look scruffy
  • get scruffy
Synonyms
  • messy

    more general and less negative; can describe temporary disorder as well as long-term neglect

  • shabby

    focuses on worn-out condition from age or heavy use, not just lack of tidiness

  • unkempt

    specifically about hair or facial hair that has not been combed or groomed

  • tatty

    chiefly British English; describes things that are old, torn, and falling apart

Antonyms
  • neat

    tidy and carefully arranged

  • smart

    clean and fashionably dressed

  • well-groomed

    having a carefully cared-for appearance

Grammar Patterns

scruffy + noun

be/look + scruffy

Usage Note

Frequently used in everyday speech rather than formal writing. Works for people, their clothing, animals, and places such as rooms or buildings. Can go before a noun (a scruffy beard) or after a linking verb (the garden looks scruffy).

Common Mistakes

Her hair looked scruffy right after she washed it.
Her hair looked messy right after she washed it.
'Scruffy' suggests a longer-term neglected look, not temporary mess from washing.
Please wear scruffy clothes to the party — it is casual.
Please wear casual clothes to the party
it is informal.' — 'Scruffy' has a negative meaning and is the wrong word for 'comfortable but acceptable.'

Word family

  • scruffily
    adverbC1
  • scruffiness
    nounC1
  • scruff
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe a lack of neatness, but they differ in what they emphasise. 'Messy' is the most general and neutral — it works for anything from a child's bedroom to a complicated situation ('a messy desk', 'a messy divorce'). 'Scruffy' adds a sense of long-term neglect and is most natural for a person's overall look or clothing ('a scruffy student'). 'Shabby' focuses on worn-out condition from age or heavy use ('a shabby armchair'). 'Unkempt' is reserved for hair and grooming that has not been tended to ('an unkempt beard'). 'Tatty' (chiefly British) suggests things that are old and falling apart ('tatty curtains'). In everyday conversation, 'messy' is the safest choice; when you want to describe someone who looks as if they have not taken care of themselves for a while, 'scruffy' fits best.

messy ↗shabbyunkempttatty

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • look scruffy
  • get scruffy
  • feel scruffy

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

The adjective 'scruffy' comes from 'scruff', an old variant of 'scurf' — a word for dry, flaking skin on the scalp. In the late 1800s English speakers began using 'scruffy' to describe a person whose rough and unkempt appearance reminded them of that neglected, flaky look. The '-y' suffix turns the noun into an adjective meaning 'having the quality of'.