dowdy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The company also saw that its selection was dowdy and uninspiring.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

The character of Dame Edna began as a dowdy Mrs. Norm Everage, who first took to the stage in Humphries’ hometown of Melbourne in the mid-1950s.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 22, 2023

Chastain last appeared on Broadway a decade ago, when she starred in “The Heiress” as Catherine Sloper, a dowdy, awkward aristocrat.

From New York Times • Feb. 22, 2023

Ella’s a model and New York socialite with a penchant for wearing collegiate, dowdy clothes that the New York Times referred to as “Wes Anderson chic” around the time of President Biden’s inauguration.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2022

And speaking of taste, had anyone else remarked upon that dreadful, dowdy number that so-and-so had worn to the such-and-such ball...?

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly