ratty

IPA/ˈræti/
KK[rˈæti]IPA/ˈræti/

ratty — adjective

  • rattypositive
  • rattiercomparative
  • rattiestsuperlative

1. becoming irritated or upset quickly, often about matters that most people would

1.形容詞B2
釋義

becoming irritated or upset quickly, often about matters that most people would ignore.

例句

Sari was feeling ratty after the long flight delay, so her friend ordered coffee without asking.

be feeling ratty after [event]

The night-shift nurse gets ratty when she has not had enough sleep before a busy shift.

同義詞
  • cranky

    American English equivalent; also informal but used for both temporary and permanent states.

  • grouchy

    Slightly milder than 'ratty'; implies a complaining mood rather than outright anger.

  • testy

    More formal; suggests quick irritation in response to being provoked.

反義詞
  • cheerful

    The opposite emotional state.

  • easy-going

    Describes a person who rarely becomes annoyed.

文法句型

be feeling ratty

get ratty

ratty + about/with [something/someone]

用法筆記

Common in British English for short-term bad temper, not a long-term personality trait. American English speakers would usually say 'cranky' or 'grouchy' instead.

常見錯誤

❌My boss is a ratty person.
✅My boss gets ratty when he is stressed.
💡'ratty' describes temporary mood, not a permanent personality quality.
❌She was ratty at the dog.
✅She was ratty with the dog.
💡In British usage, 'ratty with' is the standard preposition for the target of irritation.

2. old, worn, and of poor quality, especially describing clothes, furniture, or bui

2.形容詞B2
釋義

old, worn, and of poor quality, especially describing clothes, furniture, or buildings that have been used heavily.

例句

Lukas wore a ratty old sweater with holes in both elbows to the garden party.

ratty old + noun — common dismissive phrase

The sofa in the student flat was so ratty that the springs poked through the fabric.

同義詞
  • shabby

    The closest synonym; 'shabby' is more common and slightly less informal. A 'shabby' item may still have had good quality once; 'ratty' suggests it is nearly falling apart.

  • tatty

    Chiefly British; emphasises cheapness and poor condition rather than age.

  • scruffy

    Used mainly for people's appearance (messy hair, untidy clothes) rather than objects.

反義詞
  • smart

    Neat, tidy, and in good condition.

  • pristine

    In perfect, like-new condition.

文法句型

ratty + noun (clothes, furniture, building)

look ratty

be ratty

常見錯誤

❌The food looked ratty.
✅The food looked old and unappetising.
💡'ratty' describes physical wear of objects, not food quality.

3. having the appearance or qualities of a rat, such as a pointed face, a thin tail

3.形容詞C1
釋義

having the appearance or qualities of a rat, such as a pointed face, a thin tail, or small darting eyes; or filled or overrun with rats.

例句

Shirin described the abandoned warehouse as dark, damp, and thoroughly ratty inside.

ratty = overrun with rats, in context of a building

The stray dog had a ratty face with a pointed nose and tiny darting eyes that never stayed still.

同義詞
  • rat-infested

    The modern and clearer expression for a building or area filled with rats.

  • rat-like

    Emphasises physical resemblance rather than infestation.

反義詞

文法句型

ratty + noun (face, tail, smell)

look ratty

smell ratty

用法筆記

The 'infested with rats' meaning is now rare; most modern speakers use 'rat-infested' for that sense. The 'rat-like' meaning is used for animals, objects, or facial features that resemble a rat.