shabby

Everyday

1. Shabby means old, worn and untidy from a lot of use. tree →
2. Shabby means dressed in old, worn clothes. tree →
3. Shabby means unfair or mean, as in «a shabby trick». tree →
4. (informal) «Not shabby» means quite good. tree →

In the lessons

In stories: shabby coats, shabby houses show that people are poor or things are old. In everyday talk: «That was a shabby way to treat her». Phrases: «shabby clothes», «shabby treatment», «not too shabby».

Examples

• He wore a shabby old coat. tree →
• The hotel was shabby and needed painting. tree →
• That was a shabby trick to play on your friend. tree →
• The sofa looked shabby but was very comfy. tree →
• «Second place? Not too shabby!» said Dad. tree →
• The shabby teddy was her favourite. tree →
• Directly the Princess Badoura saw the prince she recognised him in spite of his shabby clothes. tree →

Note

Comparative: shabbier, shabbiest (y → i). Adverb: shabbily. «Not too shabby» is informal praise.