sleazy

adjective

slea·​zy ˈslē-zē 

also ˈslā-

sleazier; sleaziest

1

a

: lacking firmness of texture : flimsy

b

: carelessly made of inferior materials : shoddy

2

a

: marked by low character or quality

sleazy tabloids

b

: squalid, dilapidated

sleazy bars

sleazily

ˈslē-zə-lē 

also ˈslā-

adverb

sleaziness

ˈslē-zē-nəs 

also ˈslā-

noun

Synonyms of sleazy

• corrupt
• perverted
• skanky
• slutty

Examples of sleazy in a Sentence

a dancer in a sleazy outfit

a sleazy lothario who is always on the make

Recent Examples on the Web

Matty does this by engaging the Kingstons’ favorite tech whiz — a sleazy genius named Carl — to alter her old text-message chain with Belvin, to add a fake text where Matty gets angry with her friend for asking her to retrieve some personal effects from the office. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025

Every other politician is portrayed as sleazy, or lazy, or corrupt—except for Congressman Stuart, who is perfect of course. —James Folta, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025

Trammell soon occupied the White House on Homeland (2020), played sleazy blues bandleader Ben on This Is Us (2016–2017), and took the lead on Reckoning (2019–2020). —Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025

No Fury feels a little like entrapment: The Neptunes’ beats are alien, seductively bizarre; Pusha raps about the spoils of his life of crime with the sleazy charm of an incubus. —Pitchfork, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

circa 1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for sleazy

• breezy
• cheesy
• easy
• queasy
• wheezy
• marchese
• speakeasy
• uneasy

Kids Definition

sleazy

adjective

slea·​zy ˈslē-zē 

also ˈslā-

sleazier; sleaziest

1

: not firm in texture : flimsy

2

: made carelessly of poor material : shoddy

sleazily

-zə-lē 

adverb

sleaziness

-zē-nəs 

noun