Ratty describes something that looks worn out, shabby, and falling apart from too much use or neglect. A ratty old sweater might have holes in the elbows, loose threads dangling, and colors faded from dozens of washes. A ratty stuffed animal shows its years of love with matted fur, missing button eyes, and stitching coming undone.

The word suggests something that's been used hard and shows it. Your favorite sneakers might become ratty after a year of daily wear: soles worn smooth, laces frayed, fabric separating from the rubber. A ratty couch in a basement rec room might have springs poking through, stains that won't come out, and cushions that have lost their shape long ago.

People also use ratty to describe messy, tangled hair that needs brushing, as in “I woke up with ratty hair sticking out in every direction.”

While ratty things look rough, they're not always ready for the trash. That ratty blanket might be someone's favorite because it's perfectly soft and broken in. Sometimes the most ratty looking baseball glove is the one that works best, molded perfectly to its owner's hand through years of catches.