rattier; rattiest
1
a
: infested with rats
b
: of, relating to, or suggestive of a rat
3
a
b
: irritable
feeling ratty as hell—
Richard Bissell
Richard BissellExamples of ratty in a Sentence
Those shoes are getting pretty ratty.
some ratty old magazines were the only reading material in the mountaintop cabin
Recent Examples on the Web
Meanwhile, ratty bangs — like enemies of perfection — are poised to be a top hair trend this fall.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
DiCaprio, 50, subverts his Hollywood leading man image by wearing a ratty red robe, unkempt hair and oversized sunglasses as former revolutionary and current stoner Bob Ferguson, who is forced back into action to save himself and his daughter (Chase Infiniti) from paramilitary enforcers.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Think charcuterie, custom florals, and coordinated linens under chic parasols—where once there were ratty beach towels and sandy tuna sandwiches.
—David Hochman, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
Chicago has developed a reputation as one of America’s rattiest cities, with one pest control company ranking it first for the last nine years.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ratty
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
DiCaprio, 50, subverts his Hollywood leading man image by wearing a ratty red robe, unkempt hair and oversized sunglasses as former revolutionary and current stoner Bob Ferguson, who is forced back into action to save himself and his daughter (Chase Infiniti) from paramilitary enforcers.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Think charcuterie, custom florals, and coordinated linens under chic parasols—where once there were ratty beach towels and sandy tuna sandwiches.
—David Hochman, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
Chicago has developed a reputation as one of America’s rattiest cities, with one pest control company ranking it first for the last nine years.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ratty
Cite this Entry
“Ratty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratty. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ratty
adjective
rat·ty
ˈrat-ē 
rattier; rattiest
1
a
: full of rats
ratty dockside warehouses
b
: of or relating to rats
2
: shabby sense 2a
a ratty old sweater
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share