scrubby

adjective

scrub·​by ˈskrə-bē How to pronounce scrubby (audio)
scrubbier; scrubbiest
Synonyms of scrubbynext
1
: inferior in size or quality : stunted
scrubby cattle
2
: covered with or consisting of scrub
3
: shabby, paltry

Synonyms of scrubby

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Examples of scrubby in a Sentence

changed into an old flannel shirt and a scrubby pair of jeans to clean out the garage
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The landscape is baked and scrubby. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 22 May 2026 Banks are fringed with grasses and scrubby trees, as colorful hills slant down to the water. — Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026 Its clear, shallow waters were pleasant to wade into after lazing under one of the scrubby trees on the sand. — Lucy Handley, CNBC, 15 Nov. 2025 From a window, Jude looked down on a scrubby expanse where multiple apartment buildings were under construction. — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrubby

Word History

Etymology

scrub entry 1

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scrubby was in 1591

Rhymes for scrubby

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Browse Nearby Words

scrub brush
scrubby
scrub cherry
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Cite this Entry

“Scrubby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrubby. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

scrubby

adjective
scrub·​by ˈskrəb-ē How to pronounce scrubby (audio)
scrubbier; scrubbiest
1
: of small size or poor quality : stunted
scrubby cattle
2
: covered with or consisting of scrub
a scrubby hill

More from Merriam-Webster on scrubby

Nglish: Translation of scrubby for Spanish Speakers

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