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

Emiliano Martinez’s save from Lukas Nmecha’s header in the 74th minute kept them in the game, with Villa equalising in the only way probable — a scruffy goal from a set piece. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026

One day in January 1766, a scruffy visitor turns up at Prince of Wales’ Fort, a remote trading post of the Hudson’s Bay Company in what is now northern Manitoba. —Malcolm Forbes, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2026

She will soon be joined on these windy cardio workouts by a scruffy urchin named Heathcliff (Owen Cooper), whom her father brings home one day. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026

The scruffy stage manager, Bunny, turns out to be posher than the monocled director, Meredith. —Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

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