ratty
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Infested with or resembling rats: Characteristic of, or full of, rats.
- In poor condition; shabby and worn-out: Showing signs of wear, tear, or neglect; tatty.
Usage
The adjective "ratty" describes something that is either literally connected to rats or, more commonly, something in a state of disrepair. It carries a negative connotation of dirtiness, neglect, or poor quality.
Examples
- Literal (resembling/infested with rats):
- The abandoned building had a ratty smell.
- They avoided the ratty corners of the cellar.
- Figurative (shabby, worn-out):
- He wore a ratty old sweater with holes in the elbows.
- The ratty armchair was falling apart but too comfortable to throw away.
Advanced Usage
- "to feel/look ratty": To feel or appear irritable, unwell, or untidy.
- After the long flight, I felt tired and ratty.
- Don't be so ratty with me; I'm just trying to help.
Variants and Related Words
- Rat (n): The rodent.
- Rattily (adv): In a ratty manner.
- Rattiness (n): The state or quality of being ratty.
Synonyms
- Shabby: In poor condition through long use or lack of care.
- Tatty: Worn and shabby; in poor condition.
- Threadbare: (Of fabric or clothes) thin and tattered with age.
- Dilapidated: (Of a building or object) in a state of disrepair or ruin.
Antonyms
- Pristine: In its original condition; unspoiled.
- Immaculate: Perfectly clean, neat, or tidy.
- New: Not existing before; made, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time.
Related Phrases/Idioms
(Note: "Ratty" itself is not commonly used in fixed idioms. Its use is primarily descriptive.)
Adjective
- dirty and infested with rats
- showing signs of wear and tear
- a ratty old overcoat
- shabby furniture
- an old house with dirty windows and tatty curtains
- of or characteristic of rats