1580s (n.), "an aukward, ill-dressed, inelegant woman" [Johnson]; 1670s (adj.), perhaps a diminutive of doue "poorly dressed woman" (early 14c.), which is of uncertain origin. The modern use of dowd (n.) is most likely a back-formation from dowdy. "If plaine or homely, wee saie she is a doudie or a slut" [Barnabe Riche, "Riche his Farewell to Militarie profession," 1581].
You don't have to be dowdy to be a Christian. [Tammy Faye Bakker, "Newsweek," June 8, 1987]
Related: Dowdily; dowdiness.
双语例句
1. She looked very plain and dowdy.
她长得非常普通,衣也过时.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. Her clothes were clean but dowdy.
她衣着整洁但有点土气。
来自辞典例句
3. She makes me feel dowdy and ugly.
她让我自惭形秽。
来自辞典例句
4. She made the other women look dowdy and careless.
