[Vocabulary] scruffy, dowdy, tacky

[Randa16]

Hi
are there any differences between these words
scruffy, dowdy and tacky
when I translated them, it seems to be that all have the same meaning

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Hello, Randa:

I am replying because "tacky" ("in poor taste") is one of my favorite words. I certainly do NOT think that it is the same as "dowdy" or "scruffy."

For example, when I take my walks and pass some beautiful houses, I occasionally see a sign on the front lawn that says, "Please pick up after your dog." [Plain English: If your dog uses our lawn as a toilet, pick up the results and place them in a bag.]

To me, such a sign is really tacky. It lessens the dignity of a beautiful house and its lawn -- in my opinion.

 

[teechar]

They're not the same. Do you have a sentence/context in mind?

 

[GoesStation]

Scruffy refers to worn, even threadbare appearance in apparel and even in grooming.

Dowdy means unfashionable, out-of-date, and really, never fashionable style.

Tacky means unrefined, not up to standards.

 

[Boris Tatarenko]

Do you use the word "tacky" as a synonym for the word "sticky" nowadays?

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes. Context will dictate whether the intended meaning is "sticky" or "tasteless/unrefined".