seedy
adj/ˈsiːdi/
Etymology 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”.
7 senses
› Literal senses:
Containing or full of seeds.
- Pomegranates are as seedy as any fruit you are likely to see.
Seedlike; having the flavour of seeds.
Colloquial Having a peculiar flavour supposed to be derived from the weeds growing among the vines; said of certain kinds of French brandy.
› Inferior in condition or quality.
Figuratively 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 acquainted1981, “Seedy Films”, in Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, performed by Soft Cell:
- The healing power of alcohol / Only works on scrapes and nicks / And not on girls in seedy bars / Who drown themselves in it2007, Bayside, “Choice Hops and Bottled Self Esteem”, in The Walking Wounded:
Figuratively Untidy, unkempt.
- His seedy, dirt-smudged visage caused her to look at him askance.
- Besides the broad-brimmed hat, he was distinguished by a spotted tie, a pair of seedy check trousers rather baggy in the seat, and a cut-away coat, much too tight for him.1913, Norman Lindsay, A Curate in Bohemia, Sydney: N.S.W. Bookstall Co., published 1932, page 96:
Figuratively Infirm, unwell, gone to seed.
- With her aching back and pronounced limp, she was feeling particularly seedy today.
Figuratively Suffering the effects of a hangover.
- After last night’s party we were all feeling pretty seedy.