What does shoddier mean?
Shoddier is the comparative form of the adjective shoddy. It describes something that is more poorly made, more careless, or less reliable than something else. The word commonly applies to workmanship, construction, materials, products, writing, or an overall performance, and it carries a strongly negative judgement about quality. Because it is a comparative, it normally appears in a comparison with another example: one repair may be shoddier than another, or a replacement may be shoddier than the item it replaces. It can also function more broadly as an intensified negative description, especially in informal criticism. Shoddier is especially useful when discussing declining quality or standards, although the base form shoddy is more common in general use.
adjectiveComparative of shoddy: more shoddy in quality, especially more poorly made, careless, or unreliable.
- More shoddy: of poor, careless, or inferior quality.
"The contractor used a shoddier replacement, which began to crack within a week."
"This replacement was shoddier than the original component."
"The report describes the construction as increasingly shoddier as the deadline approached."
When something is merely shoddy, it may be poor quality; when it is shoddier, it is worse than the already questionable alternative.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shoddier come from?
The base word shoddy is attested in the nineteenth century, but its precise origin is uncertain. It became associated with inferior or careless workmanship and later broadened to describe poor-quality goods, writing, and other work. The derived forms shoddier, shoddily, and shoddiness continue that meaning within the established modern word family.
Related word forms
How shoddier is actually used
Usually used in a comparison, but it can also convey that a standard or expected level of quality has been surpassed in a negative direction.
Easily confused with shoddier
“Shoddy” is the base adjective, while “shoddier” is its comparative form, used to compare two qualities or products.