seedy
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seedy
- /ˈsiːdi/
Sounds like cedi · Rhymes with -iːdi
Where it comes from
From Middle English sedy, equivalent to seed + -y.
The senses with negative connotation, first attested by 1725 in slang, originally especially “poor, out of money”, probably arose from the metaphor of a flower that has gone to seed, and is no longer considered beautiful. From there the word came to be used to describe unwell or past-their-prime people, and parallelly run-down places and by extension low-income or crime-affected urban areas. Compare the figurative expressions go to seed (by 1817), etc., originally in reference to plants, “cease flowering as seeds develop”.
adjective seedier · seediest
- Containing or full of seeds. Pomegranates are as seedy as any fruit you are likely to see.
- Seedlike; having the flavour of seeds.
- Having a peculiar flavour supposed to be derived from the weeds growing among the vines; said of certain kinds of French brandy.
- Shabby, run-down, possibly connected with bad, dishonest or illegal activities, somewhat disreputable. Sleazy city / Seedy films / Breathing so heavy / Next to my neighbour / Let’s get acquainted
- Untidy, unkempt. His seedy, dirt-smudged visage caused her to look at him askance.
- Infirm, unwell, gone to seed. With her aching back and pronounced limp, she was feeling particularly seedy today.
- Suffering the effects of a hangover. After last night’s party we were all feeling pretty seedy.
