WordGarden.ioshabbiness
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʃˈæbɪnəs/
US
- /ʃˈæbɪnəs/
Meanings
Noun
a worn, untidy, or cheap-looking state or appearance
unfair, ungenerous, or disrespectful treatment or behavior
Beyond the definition
Shabbiness is not just about being old; it is the way something shows age and lack of care. A place, piece of furniture, or set of clothes with shabbiness looks worn, faded, or a little neglected, as if it has seen better days. It suggests poor upkeep, but not always something broken or useless. A comfortable old armchair, a small hotel, or a detective's office might have this kind of worn, tired look.
Shabbiness describes the state of looking worn, faded, or neglected, often because of age, heavy use, or poor care. It is more than just being old; it suggests that the thing has lost some of its neatness, freshness, or good appearance. Something can be old and still beautiful or valuable, but shabbiness points to visible wear that makes it seem less cared for.
The word often has a slightly negative feel. It can suggest poverty, carelessness, or simply the slow effects of time. You might speak of the shabbiness of a coat with frayed sleeves, a hotel lobby with faded carpets, or a neighborhood where the buildings look run-down and need repair. At the same time, some styles, such as "shabby chic," deliberately use this worn look to create a sense of charm.
Shabbiness can also be used figuratively for behavior or standards. In that sense, it suggests something mean, unfair, or morally poor. Someone may speak of the shabbiness of how a person was treated, or of the moral shabbiness shown in dishonest or selfish behavior.
So whether it refers to a room, a building, clothing, furniture, or even a person's behavior, shabbiness points to a worn or poor state that suggests age, neglect, or lack of care. It often brings to mind faded comfort, lost neatness, and the signs of things not being properly looked after.
Examples
- 1
Hotel rooms
The hotel was cheap, but the shabbiness of the rooms still surprised us.
- 2
Clothing
She tried to hide the shabbiness of her coat with a bright scarf.
- 3
Café atmosphere
The café's old tables and peeling paint gave it a kind of friendly shabbiness.
- 4
Unfair treatment
He never forgot the shabbiness of the way the company pushed him out.
- Patternthe shabbiness of the way ...
the unpleasant, unfair quality of how something was done
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- shabbinessnoun