Weedy describes something overrun with weeds, those unwanted plants that spring up everywhere and crowd out the flowers, vegetables, or grass you actually want to grow. A weedy garden is one where dandelions, crabgrass, and thistles have taken over, making it hard to see the tomatoes or roses struggling underneath.

The word also describes a person who looks thin, weak, and not very healthy or strong. If someone calls a character in a book weedy, they mean that person appears frail and underdeveloped, like a plant that hasn't gotten enough sunlight or nutrients. This usage can sound unkind.

Interestingly, the same qualities that make a plant a “weed” in one place might make it valuable somewhere else. What gardeners consider weedy pests (like dandelions) might actually be edible or have medicinal uses. And people who look weedy as children sometimes grow up to be perfectly strong and healthy adults. Whether describing gardens or people, weedy suggests something that needs more care, attention, or time to thrive.