frumpy

adjective

ˈfrəm-pē 

frumpier; frumpiest

: dowdy, drab: such as

a

: dressed in an unattractive way

He's a frumpy dresser.

That can't be Madonna playing a frumpy '30s-era missionary.

—Peter Travers

b

of clothing : not attractive : having an old, dull, unflattering, or untidy appearance

wore the same old frumpy sweater

… a dizzy mix of matronly frills, frumpy floral prints, and dotty dots …

—Flare

Frumpy shoes—those which forsake all suggestiveness in favor of comfort and mobility—are back.

—Misty White Sidell

Baggy pants, however, can add width and look frumpy.

—Christina Frank

frumpily adverb

frumpily dressed

frumpiness noun

Their hats are stained with sweat … and their clothes have an agreeable air of frumpiness.

—Cathy Horyn

Examples of frumpy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The popular top has a relaxed, oversized silhouette that’s far from frumpy. —Clara McMahon, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Though details of the plot and characters have been kept tightly under wraps, the first teaser for the film did let one cat out of its bag: Brolin will be playing a frumpy, bearded priest. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Unlike ultra-wide, frumpy, or super skinny styles, Lakshmi’s jeans are comfortable enough for daytime explorations yet polished enough to wear to dinner and cocktails. —Izzy Baskette, People.com, 31 July 2025

By the late 1970s, the Alaska’s popularity waned as tastes grew sleeker, dresses less frumpy. —Mehr Singh, Vogue, 31 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for frumpy

• bumpy
• dumpy
• grumpy
• jumpy
• lumpy
• stumpy