Wordul · all words

adjective · 2 syllables · /ˈræt.i/

RATTY

What does "RATTY" mean?

Shabby, worn out, or in poor condition.

Meanings

  1. Worn, shabby, or untidy in appearance. He showed up in a ratty old sweater full of holes. informal
  2. Bad-tempered or irritable (chiefly British). She gets ratty when she hasn't had enough sleep. informal
  3. Infested with or resembling rats. They found a ratty cellar behind the old shop.

Word origin

From 'rat' plus the adjective ending '-y', evoking the shabby, gnawed look associated with rats; the irritable sense is British slang from the early 20th century.

Remember it

RATTY = like a RAT's tatty fur: worn, scruffy, and quick to snap at you.

A little poem

The favourite jumper unravels at the cuff,
the mood frays with it, thread by thread-
one word for both the wool and the temper.

tercet

What it teaches

Wear shows on cloth and on temper alike; both fray fastest where they are handled most.

Quick facts

What does RATTY mean?

Shabby, worn out, or in poor condition.

Is RATTY a valid word?

Yes — RATTY is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.

How many letters is RATTY?

RATTY has 5 letters and 2 syllables.

Where does RATTY come from?

From 'rat' plus the adjective ending '-y', evoking the shabby, gnawed look associated with rats; the irritable sense is British slang from the early 20th century.

What can RATTY teach us?

Wear shows on cloth and on temper alike; both fray fastest where they are handled most.

How players do

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