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# scruffy

adjective (scruffy, scruffier, scruffiest)

«scruffy» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Untidy and a bit dirty or worn out, about a person, clothes or a place. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruffy/#m1)
2. (of an animal) With messy, rough fur. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruffy/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories, a scruffy character might be poor, lazy, busy or simply relaxed — a scruffy dog is often lovable. In school, teachers may say «your uniform looks scruffy» (tuck your shirt in). Phrases: «scruffy clothes», «scruffy hair», «a scruffy little dog», «look scruffy».

### Examples

- His jumper was scruffy with holes in the elbows. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruffy/#x1)
- A scruffy little dog followed us home. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruffy/#x2)
- Tuck your shirt in — you look scruffy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruffy/#x3)
- The garden looked scruffy after the winter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruffy/#x4)
- Her handwriting was scruffy because she rushed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruffy/#x5)
- The scruffy old teddy was still his favourite. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruffy/#x6)

### Note

Comparatives: scruffier, scruffiest. Informal but polite. Opposites: smart, neat, tidy. Similar: messy, shabby, untidy.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «scruffy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruffy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«scruffy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/scruffy.html) on Mova free.