frumpier; frumpiest
a
: dressed in an unattractive way
He's a frumpy dresser.
That can't be Madonna playing a frumpy '30s-era missionary.—
Peter Travers
Peter Travers
b
of clothing
: not attractive : having an old, dull, unflattering, or untidy appearance
wore the same old frumpy sweater
… a dizzy mix of matronly frills, frumpy floral prints, and dotty dots …—Flare
FlareFrumpy shoes—those which forsake all suggestiveness in favor of comfort and mobility—are back.—Misty White Sidell
Misty White SidellBaggy pants, however, can add width and look frumpy.—Christina Frank
Christina Frank
frumpily
adverb
frumpily dressed
frumpiness
noun
Their hats are stained with sweat … and their clothes have an agreeable air of frumpiness.
—Cathy Horyn
Cathy Horyn
Examples of frumpy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The style of the ’60s S-Type sports saloon—bold and feline when introduced—just looked frumpy on the new model of the same name that was launched in 1999 and intended to take on BMW’s world-beating 5-Series.
—Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2025
This ultra light cashmere cardigan gives off refined rather than frumpy vibes thanks to its understated shape and warm oatmeal tone.
—Ebony-Renee Baker, refinery29.com, 10 Jan. 2025
In an era of kale Caesar salads and turmeric lattes, an old-fashioned meatloaf feels decidedly frumpy and uncool.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2025
The Conversation noted research from 2019 found that older women are often relegated to supporting roles in films—or are consistently portrayed as grumpy, frumpy, or senile.
—Valerie Monroe, Allure, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frumpy
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Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2025
This ultra light cashmere cardigan gives off refined rather than frumpy vibes thanks to its understated shape and warm oatmeal tone.
—Ebony-Renee Baker, refinery29.com, 10 Jan. 2025
In an era of kale Caesar salads and turmeric lattes, an old-fashioned meatloaf feels decidedly frumpy and uncool.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2025
The Conversation noted research from 2019 found that older women are often relegated to supporting roles in films—or are consistently portrayed as grumpy, frumpy, or senile.
—Valerie Monroe, Allure, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frumpy
Cite this Entry
“Frumpy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frumpy. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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