Pronunciation: [ʃɹˈʌbi] (IPA) 
The word "shrubby" is spelled with two "b"s because it is derived from the noun "shrub," which has the /r/ sound followed by a weak /b/. When the suffix "-y" is added to "shrub," the /b/ sound is strengthened and another /b/ is added to avoid confusion with the similar-sounding "shruggy." The IPA phonetic transcription for "shrubby" is /ˈʃrʌbi/, with the stress on the first syllable and clear /b/ sounds at the end of both syllables.
Shrubby is an adjective used to describe something resembling a shrub or small, bushy plant. It is often used to refer to plants or vegetation that grow in the form of shrubs, which are characterized by multiple woody stems arising from the base.
In the context of plants, shrubby indicates a growth habit that is similar to that of a shrub, with dense and compact branching structures. This term is commonly employed to describe various types of plants, including both evergreen and deciduous species. Shrubby plants can be found in a wide range of environments, from deserts and forests to gardens and landscapes.
The term "shrubby" can also be extended metaphorically to describe other objects or phenomena that resemble shrubs in appearance or structure. For instance, in the field of architecture, "shrubby" may be used to describe a structure with dense, clustered elements or components, resembling the form of a shrub. Similarly, the term can be used in a figurative sense to describe hairstyles, animal fur, or even certain artistic styles that exhibit a dense and compact characteristic.
Overall, the adjective "shrubby" is primarily used to describe plants or objects that possess attributes resembling those of shrubs—a term that inherently conveys the image of a bushy, woody plant.
Full of shrubs; consisting of shrubs.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The term "shrubby" is derived from the combination of the noun "shrub" and the suffix "-y", which is used to form adjectives from nouns. The word "shrub" originates from the Old English word "scrub" or "scrybb", which meant a shrubbery or a thicket of shrubs. The Old English term can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*skrubbaz", meaning a stunted tree or shrub. The usage of "shrubby" as an adjective to describe something resembling a shrub or having the characteristics of a shrub dates back to the early 19th century.
