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 brick pathway at my feet passed through a small ornamental fence, crossed some scrubby grass, then ran up the steps to the Helen Keller Birthplace at Ivy Green. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 At first glance, Komodo National Park seems austere with its volcanic hills covered in scrubby grass instead of the dense tropical foliage found elsewhere in Indonesia. — Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026 There were seven of us American bird hunters overlooking a scrubby flat in Argentina’s Santiago Del Estero Province. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 12 Aug. 2026 Other worthy state parks to check out include Seabranch Preserve State Park, where there are six miles of hiking and biking trails that take visitors through sand pine scrub, scrubby flatwoods, and a mangrove swamp, and Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park, a great spot for birding. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 16 June 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 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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