shoddy

1 of 2

noun

shod·​dy ˈshä-dē 

1

a

: a reclaimed wool from materials that are not felted that is of better quality and longer staple than mungo

b

: a fabric often of inferior quality manufactured wholly or partly from reclaimed wool

2

a

: inferior, imitative, or pretentious articles or matter

b

: pretentious vulgarity

shoddy

2 of 2

adjective

shoddier; shoddiest

1

: made wholly or partly of shoddy

2

a

: cheaply imitative : vulgarly pretentious

shoddy merchandise

b

: hastily or poorly done : inferior

shoddy workmanship

c

: shabby, disreputable

shoddy business deals

shoddily

ˈshä-də-lē 

adverb

shoddiness

ˈshä-dē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of shoddy

Adjective

• poor
• terrible
• cheap
• inferior
• bad
• rotten

Examples of shoddy in a Sentence

Adjective

They gave a shoddy performance.

shoddy merchandise that soon fell to pieces

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Trump blamed vandals for the issues, but federal prosecutors in Washington attributed the problems to shoddy workmanship. — Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

But the president continues to repeat false claims that vandalism — rather than shoddy workmanship — was to blame for a new blue surface peeling away. — Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

The cases were dropped when evidence mounted that shoddy work — not the vandalism alleged by the president and allies — was behind the pool’s problems. — Liam Bowman, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2026

The tragedy, caused by shoddy construction, triggered an outpouring of anger over corruption, the government’s lack of accountability and negligence. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shoddy

• bawdy
• body
• gaudy
• khadi
• mahdi
• noddy
• oddi
• toddy
• waddy
• afterbody
• antibody
• busybody

Kids Definition

shoddy

adjective

shod·​dy

ˈshäd-ē

shoddier; shoddiest

: poorly done or made

shoddy construction

shoddy furniture

shoddily

ˈshäd-ᵊl-ē

adverb

shoddiness

ˈshäd-ē-nəs

noun