frump

(frŭmp)

1. A girl or woman regarded as dull, plain, or unfashionable.

2. A person regarded as colorless and primly sedate.

[Possibly short for Middle English frumple, wrinkle, from Middle Dutch verrompelen, to wrinkle : ver-, completely; see per in Indo-European roots + rompelen, to wrinkle.]

frump′i·ly adv.

frump′i·ness n.

frump′y adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Adv.

frumpily - in a dowdy unfashionable manner; "she dresses dowdily"

dowdily, frumpishly

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References in periodicals archive

But neither am I going to dress up frumpily because of the perception that seniors should dress this way.

Pilita Corrales: Lessons on being forever young

It's more efficient, better equipped, has a higher feeling of quality inside and out and is still just as practical as ever, without being frumpily box-shaped.

Avensis ups the Touring's efficiency

It's more ecient, better equipped, has a higher feeling of quality inside and out and is still just as practical as ever, without being frumpily box-shaped.

Middle of the load; The estate version of the Toyota Avensis looks far too sensible to be charming. Has the latest version acquired a charisma injection? Jonathan Crouch reports

Does Arcangel's display only expose the museum to be even more frumpily obsolete?

Cory Arcangel: CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF ART

A study found women dress more frumpily in their 20s in a bid to look older, while 50 and 60-year-olds wear fashionable gear aimed at those at least 20 years younger.

SWINGING 60s; Women refuse to dress their age before 70

However, she has also been accused of being "lamb dressed as mutton" and turning out too frumpily for a woman in her mid-20s.

Where did it all go wrong? TWICKENHAM: FEBRUARY 10 CHELTENHAM: MARCH 13 THE PICTURES JUST A MONTH APART THAT REVEAL BEGINNING OF THE END FOR WILL AND KATE

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