blowsy

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blowsy

A woman with a blowsy appearance stands outside a market stall.

Definition

Adjective: 1. Untidy, coarse, or slovenly in appearance, especially of a woman: Describes a person, typically a woman, who is messy, unkempt, or has a rough, red-faced look, often suggesting a lack of care or refinement.

Usage and Examples

The adjective blowsy is used to describe a person's appearance. It often carries a negative or disapproving tone. * The blowsy woman at the market had her hair in disarray and her apron stained. * After the long, hot festival, her makeup had run, leaving her looking rather blowsy. * The character was portrayed as a blowsy, good-natured tavern keeper.

Advanced Usage and Nuance
  • Connotation: The term blowsy is often considered dated and can be offensive, as it is frequently and pejoratively applied to women. It implies a lack of neatness and can suggest coarseness or vulgarity.
  • Typical Associations: It is commonly associated with a red, flushed complexion, untidy hair, and careless or overly showy dress.
Variants and Related Words
  • Blowzy: An alternative spelling of blowsy.
  • Slatternly (adj.): Having the characteristics of a slattern; untidy and dirty.
  • Frowzy (adj.): Scruffy, unkempt, and dingy in appearance.
Synonyms
  • Slovenly
  • Untidy
  • Unkempt
  • Frowzy
  • Disheveled
  • Bedraggled
Antonyms
  • Neat
  • Tidy
  • Prim
  • Well-groomed
  • Elegant
blowsy

A woman with a blowsy appearance stands outside a market stall.

Adjective
  1. characteristic of or befitting a slut or slattern; used especially of women