shabby

/ˈʃæbi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʃæbi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsha-bē/ (ame, mw)

shabby — adjective

  • shabbypositive
  • shabbiercomparative
  • shabbiestsuperlative

1. describes clothes, buildings, furniture, or other objects that have become old,

1.形容詞B1
釋義

describes clothes, buildings, furniture, or other objects that have become old, torn, or dirty from prolonged use or a lack of proper care.

例句

Mr. Chen wore a shabby coat with holes in the elbows to the market.

shabby + noun (coat) for worn clothing

The hotel room had shabby carpets and peeling wallpaper that no one replaced.

同義詞
  • worn

    softer, focuses on gradual use over time rather than neglect

  • tattered

    stronger, specifically torn or ragged (of fabric/clothing)

  • dilapidated

    more formal, used for buildings or structures in very bad condition

  • ragged

    focuses on torn edges, especially of clothes or fabric

反義詞
  • smart

    neat and clean in appearance

  • well-kept

    looked after and maintained properly

文法句型

be + shabby

shabby + noun

look/feel/seem + shabby

用法筆記

Can describe both a person's appearance (shabby clothes) and a place (shabby building). When used of a person's dress, it implies neglect rather than poverty.

常見錯誤

❌My old phone is shabby but it still works.
✅My old phone is battered but it still works.
💡'shabby' best suits visible wear on fabric, surfaces, or buildings, not all old objects.

2. describes actions, treatment, or behaviour that are dishonest, unfair, and moral

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes actions, treatment, or behaviour that are dishonest, unfair, and morally unacceptable — for example, blaming someone else for your own mistake or breaking a promise you made.

例句

Diego's shabby treatment of his assistant, making her work late without pay, angered the whole team.

shabby treatment of + person

It was a shabby trick to take credit for Amara's idea while she was away.

shabby trick — fixed collocation for mean behaviour

同義詞
  • unfair

    less emotive; simply describes lack of fairness

  • dishonourable

    more formal, focuses on loss of personal integrity

  • contemptible

    stronger, deserving scorn or disgust

  • mean

    everyday word for unkind or selfish behaviour

反義詞
  • honourable

    acting with honesty and strong moral principles

  • decent

    treating others fairly and with respect

文法句型

shabby + noun (treatment/trick/excuse)

it is shabby of someone to...

用法筆記

Strongly disapproving. Often used in British English to criticise how someone has been treated. Subject is typically a person or an organisation's action.

常見錯誤

❌He made a shabby mistake on the report.
✅He made a careless mistake on the report.
💡'shabby' describes dishonourable behaviour, not accidental errors.

3. describes work, goods, or services that fall short of what is expected or needed

3.形容詞B2
釋義

describes work, goods, or services that fall short of what is expected or needed, often because of carelessness or lack of skill.

例句

Sofia complained that the kitchen cabinets showed really shabby workmanship — the doors did not close properly.

shabby + workmanship — describes poorly made items

The hotel served a shabby breakfast of stale bread and weak coffee.

同義詞
  • poor

    more general and less strong; simply not good enough

  • inferior

    more formal; lower in rank or quality compared to something else

  • second-rate

    informal; not among the best

  • cheap

    focuses on low cost that results in poor quality

反義詞

文法句型

be + shabby

shabby + noun (work/service/workmanship)