Definition

Describing something that is messy, dirty, or has a bad smell.

Example

The frowzy room was filled with old clothes and a musty odor.

Conversation

Have you seen John's new apartment?

Yeah, I went there last week, and it was a bit frowzy inside.

Really? I thought he cleaned it up before moving in.

He probably did, but it still has that frowzy old smell.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Frowzy originates from the Middle English 'frousy', meaning unkempt or dirty, which is derived from the Old Norse 'froskr', meaning to be dirty or filthy. The word reflects a state of being messy or disheveled.

Memory Tip

Imagine someone who is 'unkempt' or 'dirty' — that's what frowzy means, helping you remember its association with a messy appearance.

Visually Confused Words