Dowdy \Dow"dy\, a. [Compar. {Dowdier}; superl. {Dowdiest}.] [Scot. dawdie slovenly, daw, da sluggard, drab, Prov. E. dowd flat, dead.] Showing a vulgar taste in dress; awkward and slovenly in dress; vulgar-looking. -- {Dow"di*ly}, adv. -- {Dow"di*ness}, n.
dowdily adv : in a dowdy unfashionable manner; "she dresses dowdily" [syn: {frumpily}, {frumpishly}]