scruffy
UK: ˈskrʌfi | US: ˈskrʌfi
adj. shabby or untidy in appearance
adj. (of an animal) having coarse or ragged fur
The word "scruffy" originates from the noun "scruff," which refers to the back of the neck, often associated with untidiness or roughness (e.g., "grabbed by the scruff"). The suffix "-y" transforms it into an adjective, describing something as messy or unkempt. The term likely emerged in the 19th century, reflecting colloquial English's tendency to create descriptive terms from body-related metaphors.
The stray dog looked scruffy but friendly.
He wore a scruffy old jacket to the casual outing.
Her scruffy handwriting made the notes hard to read.
The café had a charming, scruffy vibe with mismatched furniture.
After camping for a week, his beard grew scruffy and unkempt.