sloppy

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

Synonyms

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

Examples of sloppy in a Sentence

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

The turmoil dates back to a somewhat sloppy performance at a charity show at London’s Royal Albert Hall in March. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2025

Learning how to practice Despite the steady energy throughout camp, Saturday’s session had its share of sloppy moments. —Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2025

These bushings pivot freely on upper and lower control arms, avoiding the sloppy steering feel or body roll typical of rubber bushings. —Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 31 July 2025

The sound profile is balanced but punchy, with beefed-up bass that never gets sloppy. —Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 25 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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