bedraggled

adjective

be·​drag·​gled bi-ˈdra-gəld 

bē-

1

: soiled and stained by or as if by trailing in mud

2

: left wet and limp by or as if by rain

3

: dilapidated

bedraggled buildings

Synonyms

• dripping
• saturated
• wet
• bathed
• washed
• flooded
• saturate
• soaked
• sodden

Examples of bedraggled in a Sentence

She was bedraggled and exhausted.

the cat looked rather funny, all bedraggled and fit to be tied after her bath

Recent Examples on the Web

Generously, Thompson’s performance leaves room for two more, the first being Poots’ low-key but impressive Thea, a mousy woman who arrives wet and bedraggled, causing Hedda to dress her in her own clothes (a gesture that has more than one meaning for Hedda, who’s still in love with Eileen). —Damon Wise, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025

But both the 1957 Italian miniseries and the 1980 BBC television version stay out of the mud entirely, having their Elizabeths arrive at Netherfield in pouring rain, merely bedraggled. —Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025

Flower Beds, Perennials, and Ornamentals Perennials and annual flowers tend to look a little bedraggled at the end of the summer. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2025

Hawkins is aged up, and appears bedraggled, hard-pressed for some good luck. —Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 5 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of bedraggle

First Known Use

circa 1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bedraggled

• straggled
• waggled

Kids Definition

bedraggled

adjective

be·​drag·​gled bi-ˈdrag-əld 

: limp, soggy, or dirty from or as if from rain or mud