The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

haggard

IPA:

Dictionary definition of haggard

Appearing exhausted, worn out, or gaunt, often as a result of physical or emotional strain.
"His haggard face showed the years of stress and strain."

Detailed meaning of haggard

It suggests a tired and weary appearance, with features that may be sunken, disheveled, or lacking vitality. A haggard individual may exhibit signs of fatigue, such as dark circles under their eyes or a drawn expression. The term can also extend to describing something that appears wild, unkempt, or dilapidated. It carries a sense of depletion or depletion of energy and is often associated with prolonged stress, illness, sleep deprivation, or hardship. Overall, "haggard" portrays a visual representation of the toll that physical or emotional exhaustion takes on a person, reflecting a state of weariness and diminished vitality.

Example sentences containing haggard

1. The once vibrant city now wore a haggard appearance.
2. She looked haggard after working three night shifts in a row.
3. The dog was haggard, with ribs showing through its thin coat.
4. His haggard reflection in the mirror reminded him of his difficult past.
5. The garden looked haggard after months of neglect.
6. The haggard old man shuffled slowly down the street.

History and etymology of haggard

The adjective 'haggard' has a fascinating etymology with origins in falconry. It was originally used in the context of training and hunting with hawks and falcons. The term comes from the Middle French word 'hagard,' which referred to a wild, untamed hawk. Middle French borrowed this term from the Old French 'haagard,' which is believed to have roots in the Middle High German word 'hutten,' meaning 'to capture.' Over time, 'haggard' evolved to describe the appearance of a hawk that was captured from the wild and, as a result, looked exhausted, emaciated, and untamed. In the broader sense, it began to be applied to people, especially those who appeared worn out and gaunt due to physical or emotional strain. Thus, the etymology of 'haggard' provides a vivid historical connection between the world of falconry and the description of a fatigued and careworn appearance in individuals.

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Further usage examples of haggard

1. His voice was weak and haggard after hours of talking.
2. She pulled her haggard hair back into a loose ponytail.
3. His clothes were haggard and torn after the long journey.
4. The storm left the coast looking haggard and battered.
5. The haggard trees stood leafless in the winter air.
6. She was haggard but determined, pushing through the final mile of the race.
7. His haggard expression brightened when he saw his family.
8. The once-lush forest was now a haggard shadow of its former self.
9. Her eyes were red and haggard after hours of crying.
10. The haggard crew finally reached shore after weeks at sea.
11. The sunken, haggard look of the building added to its haunted reputation.
12. The haggard soldier returned home a changed man.
13. She has a haggard beauty that speaks of a life full of experiences.
14. After a sleepless night, she looked haggard and drained.
15. The haggard expression on his face revealed his stress.
16. The long hike left us feeling haggard but accomplished.
17. Her haggard appearance reflected the demands of her job.
18. The actor's haggard look was perfect for the role of a troubled detective.
19. He appeared haggard after weeks of studying for exams.
20. The haggard woman finally found solace in a moment of rest.
21. The marathon runners finished the race looking haggard but proud.
22. The haggard old tree stood as a testament to time's toll.
23. After the ordeal, they emerged from the wilderness haggard yet alive.
24. The haggard eyes told the story of a life filled with challenges.