Dumpy describes something that looks short, squat, and unattractive. A dumpy building might be low and boxy with peeling paint, nothing like the elegant courthouse across the street. A dumpy apartment could be small, dim, and run-down, with stained carpet and a kitchen that hasn't been updated in decades.

The word carries a slightly harsh judgment about appearance. When someone describes a place as dumpy, they're saying it looks neglected or shabby. A dumpy motel along the highway might have a flickering neon sign and rooms that smell musty. A dumpy restaurant might have torn vinyl booths and grease-stained menus.

Dumpy suggests a combination of being squat and cramped and looking poorly maintained or depressing. A small building can have charm and character, but a dumpy one combines its stubby proportions with shabbiness. The word paints a picture of something that makes you want to leave rather than stay.