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Antonyms for ramshackle


Grammar : Adj
Spell : ram-shak-uhl
Phonetic Transcription : ˈræmˌʃæk əl



Definition of ramshackle

Origin :
  • 1809, back-formation from ramshackled, earlier ranshackled (1670s), alteration of ransackled, past participle of ransackle (see ransack). The word seems to have been Scottish.
  • Reading over this note to an American gentleman, he seemed to take alarm, lest the word ramshackle should be palmed on his country. I take it home willingly, as a Scotticism, and one well applied, as may be afterwards shown. [Robert Gourlay, "General Introduction to a Statistical Account of Upper Canada," London, 1822]
  • Jamieson's "Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language" (1825) has it as a noun meaning "thoughtless, ignorant fellow."
  • adj falling apart; in poor condition
Example sentences :
  • His ramshackle dwelling was an eighth of a mile from the Gould-Hamilton place.
  • Extract from : « Mary-'Gusta » by Joseph C. Lincoln
  • There was one idle and worthless journeyman in the ramshackle office, and one only.
  • Extract from : « Despair's Last Journey » by David Christie Murray
  • Paul felt as if the ramshackle building had been out at sea.
  • Extract from : « Despair's Last Journey » by David Christie Murray
  • It was a ramshackle affair of four streets and sixteen saloons.
  • Extract from : « Blazed Trail Stories » by Stewart Edward White
  • I looked round, but the ramshackle cart was hidden by the turn of the road.
  • Extract from : « The Wonder » by J. D. Beresford
  • From the beginning there had been an ancient and ramshackle cabin.
  • Extract from : « The Call of the Wild » by Jack London
  • He untied his horse, attached to a ramshackle buggy, and drove off.
  • Extract from : « Otherwise Phyllis » by Meredith Nicholson
  • Yet, in spite of her ramshackle exterior, she was not ridiculous.
  • Extract from : « Regiment of Women » by Clemence Dane
  • The woman stood in the doorway of the ramshackle, tumble-down shanty.
  • Extract from : « The Scarecrow and Other Stories » by G. Ranger Wormser
  • They entered a ramshackle dogcart, for which the doctor apologized.
  • Extract from : « The King of Diamonds » by Louis Tracy

Synonyms for ramshackle

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019