Shoddy
/ˈʃɒdi/
Definitions
2 meaningsPoorly made or done; characterized by inferior workmanship or materials.
/ˈʃɒdi/
Poorly made or done
The shoddy workmanship of the house led to numerous repairs.
💡 Simply: Imagine you bought a toy that broke the first day. That toy was 'shoddy' – it wasn’t made well. Think of anything that falls apart easily.
👶 For kids: When something is shoddy, it means it's not made very well and might break easily.
More Examples
They were sold shoddy goods at a ridiculously high price.
The shoddy materials used in the construction made the entire project unstable.
How It's Used
"The company's shoddy construction caused the building to collapse."
"I returned the shoddy shoes I bought online because they fell apart after only a week."
Dishonest, deceitful, or of questionable morality.
/ˈʃɒdi/
Dishonest or deceitful
The shoddy accounting practices led to the company's downfall.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, people act in a way that's not fair or honest, like when they try to trick someone. Those actions or their character can also be described as 'shoddy'.
👶 For kids: If someone does something dishonest or tries to trick you, you can say they're being shoddy.
More Examples
She was accused of shoddy behavior for using inside information.
The evidence revealed a shoddy investigation into the crime.
How It's Used
"The politician's shoddy campaign tactics were widely criticized."
"His shoddy business dealings damaged his reputation."
Synonyms & Antonyms
From Middle English *shoddy*, referring to cloth made from recycled wool. The meaning evolved to describe poor quality and workmanship.
The term initially referred to the waste from woolen mills used to make a lower-quality cloth. Its use expanded to describe anything of inferior quality or substandard.
Memory tip
Think of a "shoddy" rug: it looks cheap and falls apart easily.
Word Origin
"of inferior quality, from recycled wool"