NYT Dictionary

DOWDY

/ˈdaʊdi/
AdjectiveNounVerbDOW-dydow-dy · 2 syllablesGrade 7

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2025, 2026

Meaning

Plain and unfashionable in style or dress.

Etymology

Origin: Unknown

First appears c. 1581. Origin uncertain, probably literally "little poorly dressed woman," formed from doue, "poorly dressed woman". Possibly also related to the Scots dow, meaning to "fade".

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

dowdingpandowdyfrumpyfrumpishblintzarchaicblowsybygonedateddemode

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 4 recorded puzzles:

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