What does scraggly mean?
The adjective scraggly describes something or someone that appears untidy, rough, or irregular, often due to neglect or undernourishment. It can be used to describe a person's appearance, such as matted hair or tattered clothing, or to describe animals, like a scrawny cat or a scraggly tree with sparse leaves. Scraggly often carries a connotation of poverty or neglect, and is a useful word for adding detail and nuance to descriptions of people, places, or things. While not a formal or technical term, scraggly is a versatile and expressive adjective that can add interest and depth to writing and conversation.
adjectiveScraggly refers to something or someone that is untidy, rough, or irregular in appearance, often due to being undernourished or neglected.
- describing something or someone as untidy or rough in appearance
"The scraggly cat had matted fur and a scrawny neck."
"The scraggly tree had bare branches and sparse leaves."
"She wore a scraggly sweater with holes in the elbows."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of scraggly
The word scraggly is derived from the noun scrag, which referred to a lean or scrawny person or animal. The term scraggly emerged in the mid-19th century, likely as a variation of scraggy, which described something or someone as rough or irregular in appearance.
Usage notes
Scraggly often carries a connotation of neglect or poverty, and is commonly used to describe people, animals, or things that appear undernourished or unkempt.