scruffy

adjective

ˈskrə-fē 

scruffier; scruffiest

: unkempt, slovenly, shaggy

a scruffy neighborhood

a scruffy beard

scruffily

ˈskrə-fə-lē 

adverb

scruffiness

ˈskrə-fē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of scruffy

• dilapidated
• neglected

Examples of scruffy in a Sentence

The neighborhood is full of dilapidated houses with scruffy backyards.

dressed in scruffy old clothes to clean out the garage

Recent Examples on the Web

We are honored to celebrate this scruffy superstar and crown him as America’s 2025 Hero Dog. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025

The trailer also shows Lucas Bravo’s character, Gabriel, is done with the scruffy look of the last season and has gone back to his original hunky style, even boasting some blond highlights and California tan. —Lauren Coates, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025

Starring Seth Rogen, Ansari, Keke Palmer, with Sandra Oh, and Keanu Reeves, Good Fortune stars Reeves a scruffy guardian angel assigned to save someone’s soul. —Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025

Pitt also sports a scruffy look in the ad, showing off a salt-and-pepper beard. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

scruff, metathetic variant of scurf (also with senses "something worthless or contemptible, contemptible person") + -y entry 1

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for scruffy

• buffy
• fluffy
• puffy
• stuffy

Kids Definition

scruffy

adjective

ˈskrəf-ē 

scruffier; scruffiest

: dirty or shabby in appearance

a scruffy beard