frowzy.

1. Untidy and neglected in appearance.

2. Stale and unpleasant-smelling, especially from poor ventilation or neglect.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• frowzy hair
• a frowzy appearance

On the page

He emerged from the overnight train looking frowzy and thoroughly out of sorts.

Usage notes

Primary category: literary / elevated general. Forms: frowzy; frowzier; frowziest. Variant frowsy, with frowsier and frowsiest, belongs to the same lexical entry. Writing functions: description, setting, character. Commonness: uncommon. Spelling variants count once.