- Today's Word
Bedraggled
[ bih-drag-uhld ]
Definition
“Bedraggled” is an adjective used to describe something, often clothing or a person’s appearance, that is wet, dirty, or untidy due to being dragged through mud, water, or a similar substance. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that appears disheveled or in poor condition.
Example
The old, abandoned house had a bedraggled appearance, with broken windows and overgrown weeds in the yard. In this example, “bedraggled” is used metaphorically to describe the neglected and deteriorating state of the house’s exterior.
Fun Fact
The term “bedraggled” is derived from the Old English word “draggan,” meaning “to drag.” It originally referred to something or someone that had been dragged through mud or water, resulting in a disheveled or wet appearance.
(adjective) Loud, harsh, and disorderly; boisterous in a rough or disruptive way.
The forest erupted in a raucous chorus of crows as hikers approached the clearing.
From Latin raucus, meaning “hoarse” or “harsh-sounding.”