scraggy
/'skrægi/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Having a sharply uneven surface or outline: Used to describe something with a rough, jagged, or irregular appearance, often with many sharp points or projections.
- Being very thin, lean, or bony: Used to describe a person, animal, or part of the body that is unattractively thin, with bones that are prominent or visible.
Usage Examples
- Describing an uneven surface or outline:
- The climbers carefully navigated the scraggy cliffs.
- We could see the scraggy silhouette of the mountains against the sky.
- Describing a thin person or animal:
- The stray dog was scraggy and underfed.
- He had a long, scraggy neck that stuck out from his shirt collar.
Advanced Usage
- "Scraggy" vs. "Scrawny": While both describe extreme thinness, "scraggy" can also imply a rough, uneven texture or outline. "Scrawny" is used almost exclusively for living things and emphasizes lack of muscle and flesh.
- The old tree had a scraggy bark. (Highlights texture/outline)
- The scrawny kitten needed food. (Highlights thinness of a living creature)
Variants and Related Words
- Scrag (noun): An old or scrawny person or animal. Can also refer to a rough or jagged projection.
- That old scrag of a horse is still in the field.
- Scraggly (adjective): Irregular, uneven, or untidy in form or growth. Often used for hair, beards, or plants.
- He tried to comb his scraggly beard.
Synonyms
- For thinness: Scrawny, skinny, bony, gaunt, emaciated.
- For unevenness: Jagged, rugged, rough, craggy, uneven.
Antonyms
- For thinness: Plump, stout, fleshy, well-fed.
- For unevenness: Smooth, even, regular, flat.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "Scraggy end": An informal phrase referring to the last, poorest, or most undesirable part of something.
- He always gets the scraggy end of the deal.
Adjective
- having a sharply uneven surface or outline
- the jagged outline of the crags
- scraggy cliffs
- being very thin
- a child with skinny freckled legs
- a long scrawny neck