tatterdemalion

/ˌtætərdɪˈmeɪljən/

Other forms: tatterdemalions

Use the word tatterdemalion for anyone who's dressed in messy, ragged clothes. You may want to call your brother a tatterdemalion if he shows up for Thanksgiving dinner wearing a dirty sweatshirt and his favorite ripped jeans.

A slightly more common word for a tatterdemalion is a ragamuffin. As an adjective, tatterdemalion means "unkempt" or "shoddy," so go ahead and ask your brother, "Why are you wearing that tatterdemalion outfit?" While the tatter part of the word is fairly clear (a tatterdemalion's clothing is in tatters), the ending is a mystery. There may be a connection to the French de maillot, or "shirt."

Definitions of tatterdemalion

1. noun

   a dirty shabbily clothed urchin
   synonyms: ragamuffin

   type of:

   urchin

   a poor and often mischievous city child
2. adjective

   in deplorable condition
   synonyms: bedraggled, broken-down, derelict, dilapidated, ramshackle, tumble-down

   damaged

   harmed or injured or spoiled
3. adjective

   worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing
   “a tatterdemalion prince”

   synonyms: tattered

   worn

   affected by wear; damaged by long use