dowdiness
/ˈdau̇dēnə̇s -din-/ (ame, mw)
dowdiness — noun
1. the quality of looking unfashionable, plain, or not neatly put together — used e
the quality of looking unfashionable, plain, or not neatly put together — used especially to describe clothes that are dull in colour, poorly fitted, or noticeably out of date.
The teacher's dowdiness surprised the new students, as her grey cardigan and flat shoes looked thirty years out of date.
dowdiness of + clothing items (cardigan, flat shoes)
Aunt Mei-Lin complained about the dowdiness of the school uniform, with its shapeless blue dress and thick stockings.
the dowdiness of + the school uniform
The magazine editor tried to soften the dowdiness of her outfit by adding a bright silk scarf.
Visitors often remarked on the dowdiness of the old hotel lobby, with its faded flowered curtains and mismatched armchairs.
Omar felt embarrassed by the dowdiness of his winter coat, which had been passed down from his older cousin.
- frumpiness
specifically of a woman who dresses in an old-fashioned, unstylish way — more informal than dowdiness
- shabbiness
focuses on worn, frayed, or damaged condition rather than lack of fashion
- drabness
highlights dull or uninteresting colours and lack of brightness, not necessarily poor fit or old-fashioned cut
- stylishness
the quality of being fashionable and attractive in appearance
- elegance
tasteful and refined beauty in dress, usually with a sense of sophistication
文法句型
the dowdiness of + noun
用法筆記
Often implies that the person's appearance looks old-fashioned or drab rather than simply worn out. The word is more commonly applied to women's clothing than to men's.