Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

shabby

adjective (NOT FAIR)
 
 
/ˈʃæb.i/

Definition

C2 not honourable or fair; unacceptable: She spoke out about the shabby way the case had been handled. I felt the whole affair was a bit shabby.Dishonest shabbily
 
 
/-ɪ.li/ adverb
shabbily dressed The hostages were shabbily treated when they came home.DishonestIn bad condition
shabbiness
 
 
/-nəs/ noun [U]
In bad condition
(Definition of shabby adjective (NOT FAIR) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“shabby” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

hold water

If a reason, argument or explanation holds water, it is true

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More