shabby Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite showing signs of wear and tear
    ratty; moth-eaten; tatty.
    • a ratty old overcoat
    • shabby furniture
    • an old house with dirty windows and tatty curtains
  2. adjective satellite mean and unworthy and despicable
    • shabby treatment

WordNet

Shab"by adjective
Etymology
See Shab, n., Scabby, and Scab.
Wordforms
comparative Shabbier ; superlative Shabbiest
Definitions
  1. Torn or worn to rage; poor; mean; ragged.
    Wearing shabby coats and dirty shirts. Macaulay.
  2. Clothed with ragged, much worn, or soiled garments. "The dean was so shabby." Swift.
  3. Mean; paltry; despicable; as, shabby treatment. "Very shabby fellows." Clarendon.

Webster 1913