Basic Details
Word: Scruffy
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Untidy or dirty in appearance; shabby and unkempt.
Synonyms: Messy, shabby, unkempt, disheveled
Antonyms: Neat, tidy, clean, well-groomed
Idioms and Phrases
- Look scruffy around the edges: To appear slightly untidy or unpolished. Example: "He's a brilliant coder, even if he looks a bit scruffy around the edges."
- Scruffy chic: A fashion trend where people deliberately wear casual, untidy clothes stylishly. Example: "She pulled off the scruffy chic look effortlessly at the event."
Usage Examples
Example 1: He turned up to the interview in a scruffy old jacket.
Example 2: The dog looked scruffy but was very friendly.
Example 3: Her scruffy handwriting made the essay hard to read.
Fun Fact
The word "scruffy" comes from the 19th-century slang term "scruff," referring to the back of the neck-suggesting someone grabbed by the scruff of the neck would be in a messy state.
Famous Quote
"I may look scruffy, but my mind is sharp." Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "scruffy" mean?
a) Very expensive
b) Neatly arranged
c) Untidy or dirty in appearance
d) Full of energy
Answer: c) Untidy or dirty in appearance
2. Which of these is a synonym of "scruffy"?
a) Neat
b) Clean
c) Shabby
d) Elegant
Answer: c) Shabby
3. Which is an antonym of "scruffy"?
a) Dirty
b) Messy
c) Tidy
d) Shaggy
Answer: c) Tidy
4. Which sentence uses "scruffy" correctly?
a) His scruffy tie matched his clean white shirt.
b) The scruffy floor was polished perfectly.
c) He wore scruffy clothes to the fancy dinner.
d) She scruffied the document neatly.
Answer: c) He wore scruffy clothes to the fancy dinner.
5. What does the idiom "look scruffy around the edges" mean?
a) To be very fashionable
b) To be dirty only on the inside
c) To appear slightly unkempt or not polished
d) To be wealthy but hide it
Answer: c) To appear slightly unkempt or not polished
