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. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.; pl. Dowdies An awkward, vulgarly dressed, inelegant woman. Shak. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Like a dowdy. [ 1913 Webster ]