droopy
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: 1. Hanging or sagging downward: Describes something that is not held up firmly and bends or hangs down, often due to a lack of stiffness, support, or vitality. 2. Appearing sad, tired, or lacking energy: Used to describe a person's appearance, expression, or demeanor that seems weary, dejected, or low in spirits.
Usage and Examples
Describing physical objects:
- The flowers became droopy after a week without water.
- He fixed the droopy antenna on the old radio.
Describing a person's appearance or demeanor:
- She had a droopy expression after hearing the bad news.
- His droopy eyelids suggested he needed more sleep.
Advanced Usage and Nuance
- "Droopy" vs. "Drooping": While similar, "droopy" is more often used as a general descriptive adjective for a characteristic state (e.g., ). "Drooping" is often the present participle of the verb "to droop" and can describe the active process of sagging (e.g., ).
- Connotation: The word often carries a connotation of weakness, exhaustion, neglect, or melancholy. A "droopy" posture or facial feature typically implies a temporary state caused by an external factor like tiredness or sadness.
Variants and Related Words
- Droop (verb): To bend, hang, or sink downward.
- The flag began to droop in the windless heat.
- Droopily (adverb): In a droopy manner.
- The plant hung droopily over the edge of the pot.
Synonyms
- Sagging: Losing firmness and hanging down.
- Limp: Lacking stiffness or firmness.
- Flaccid: Soft and hanging loosely.
- Languid: Displaying a lack of energy or vitality (primarily for demeanor).
- Forlorn: Appearing sad and abandoned (primarily for expression).
Antonyms
- Perky: Lively and cheerful; also, sticking up briskly.
- Upright: Vertical and straight.
- Taut: Stretched or pulled tight.
- Alert: Vigilant and attentive.
Idioms and Common Phrases
- Droopy drawers: A humorous, informal phrase describing pants that are sagging or ill-fitting.
- He needs a belt; he's walking around with droopy drawers.
Adjective
- hanging down (as from exhaustion or weakness)