Of a garment, etc.: Having the nap worn off, leaving bare the threads of the warp and woof; worn to the thread; shabby; worn-out.

Of (dark) clothes: faded through use; worn, shabby. Now chiefly historical.

(Almost always of a woman or her dress.) Shabbily dull in colour or appearance; without brightness, smartness, or freshness.

Somewhat dowdy; inclined to dowdyism.

Of dress, etc.: shabby, dowdy. Obsolete.

Relating to, resembling, or suggestive of hand-me-down articles, esp. clothing; old, tired, worn.

dowdy, unkempt.

Characteristic of a schlump; slovenly; dowdy.

Esp. of a person or his or her clothing or appearance: shabby, scruffy; dowdy, unfashionable, unsophisticated. Later also in neutral or positive…