Definition

Adverb: 1. In a mean, ungenerous, or unfair manner: Describes an action done with a lack of fairness, kindness, or proper respect. 2. In a worn, threadbare, or dilapidated condition: Describes the appearance of something that is old, faded, or in poor condition.

Usage Examples

• In a mean/unfair manner:
  • The company treated its long-time employees shabbily during the restructuring.
  • He felt he had been shabbily ignored by his former friends.
• In a worn/dilapidated condition:
  • The old curtains hung shabbily from the rusty rod.
  • He was shabbily dressed in clothes that were too big and full of holes.

Advanced Usage

• "to treat someone shabbily": To behave toward someone in a disrespectful, unfair, or unkind way.
  • The celebrity complained about being shabbily treated by the aggressive paparazzi.
• "shabbily furnished": Describing a room or building containing old, worn, or cheap furniture.
  • The waiting room was shabbily furnished with broken chairs and a stained carpet.

Variants and Related Words

• Shabby (adjective): The root adjective.
  • (Of behavior) Mean and unfair.

    • That was a shabby trick to play on her.
  • (Of appearance) In poor condition through long use or lack of care.

    • He lived in a shabby apartment.

Synonyms

• Meanly: In a miserly or unkind manner.
• Unfairly: In an unjust or prejudiced manner.
• Threadbare: (As an adjective) Worn thin with age.
• Dilapidated: (As an adjective) In a state of disrepair or ruin.

Antonyms

• Generously: In a kind, noble, or plentiful manner.
• Fairly: In a just and reasonable way.
• Immaculately: In a perfectly clean, neat, or tidy manner.
• Elegantly: In a stylishly graceful and sophisticated manner.

Adverb

1. in a mean and ungenerous manner
   • the two were haggling shabbily in the drawing-room
2. so as to appear worn and threadbare or dilapidated
   • a shabbily dressed man