sloppy

1 of 2

adjective

slop·​py ˈslä-pē 

sloppier; sloppiest

1

a

: wet so as to spatter easily : slushy

a sloppy racetrack

b

: wet or smeared with or as if with something slopped over

2

: slovenly, careless

a sloppy dresser

did sloppy work

3

: disagreeably effusive

sloppy sentimentalism

sloppily

ˈslä-pə-lē 

adverb

sloppiness noun

sloppiness

2 of 2

noun

slop·​pi·​ness

-pēnə̇s, 

-pin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being sloppy

Synonyms of sloppy

Adjective

• messy
• slovenly
• wrinkled
• shaggy
• untidy
• unkempt
• filthy
• dowdy
• chaotic

Examples of sloppy in a Sentence

Adjective

Your work has been very sloppy lately.

a sloppy child who always seems to have spilled something on his clothes

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Two innings later, the Dodgers took the lead again, rewarded for hard contact as the Brewers’ defense showed its first signs of sloppy play. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

The pair seemed prepared and methodical—not sloppy carousers but people with a plan. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

These are two teams that figure to be in the conversation come January, but both played some very sloppy football. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Our break-ins or our entries have been sloppy, and that’s on us. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sloppy

• sloppy joe

Rhymes for sloppy

• choppy
• copy
• floppy
• poppy
• atopy
• photocopy

Kids Definition

sloppy

adjective

slop·​py ˈsläp-ē 

sloppier; sloppiest

1

a

: wet so as to spatter easily : slushy

b

: wet with or as if with something slopped over

2

: slovenly, careless

a sloppy dresser

3

: overly sentimental

sloppily

ˈsläp-ə-lē 

adverb

sloppiness

ˈsläp-ē-nəs

noun