English Dictionary |
SHABBILY
Pronunciation (US): | (GB): |
Dictionary entry overview: What does shabbily mean?
• SHABBILY (adverb)
The adverb SHABBILY has 2 senses:
1. so as to appear worn and threadbare or dilapidated
2. in a mean and ungenerous manner
Familiarity information: SHABBILY used as an adverb is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
So as to appear worn and threadbare or dilapidated
Context example:
a shabbily dressed man
Pertainym:
shabby (showing signs of wear and tear)
Sense 2
Meaning:
In a mean and ungenerous manner
Context example:
the two were haggling shabbily in the drawing-room
Pertainym:
shabby (mean and unworthy and despicable)
Context examples
There was a group of shabbily dressed men smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with cigars in their mouths.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Learn English with... Proverbs |
"It's impossible to awaken a man who is pretending to be asleep." (Native American proverb, Navajo)
"When the fox can't reach the grape, says it's unripe." (Armenian proverb)
"They who are born of chickens scratch the earth." (Corsican proverb)