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slatternly

adjective
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slat·​tern·​ly | \ ˈsla-tərn-lē How to pronounce slatternly (audio) \

Definition of slatternly

1 : untidy and dirty through habitual neglect also : careless, disorderly
2 : of, relating to, or characteristic of a slut or prostitute
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Other Words from slatternly

slatternliness noun

Examples of slatternly in a Sentence

the biography portrays the poet as a debauched scoundrel whose companions were slatternly women and not the chaste maids he celebrated in his lyrics
Recent Examples on the Web An influential Peruvian industrialist named Enrique is photographed in flagrante amid a heap of slatternly prostitutes. — Dwight Garner, New York Times, "A Pulpy New Novel and Juiceless Old Essays From Mario Vargas Llosa," 19 Feb. 2018 By sticking to Patti’s second-best status, and the deferred dreams of her slatternly mother, Barb (Bridget Everett), and her widowed, infirm grandmother, Nana (Cathy Moriarty), Jasper shows his condescension toward their toughness. — Armond White, National Review, "Class Consciousness, French- and American-Style," 18 Aug. 2017 The one who took best actress was Marie Mullen, who portrayed Maureen, a 40-year-old virgin shackled to her imperious, housebound mother, Mag (the splendidly slatternly Anna Manahan). — Ben Brantley, New York Times, "Review: ‘The Beauty Queen of Leenane’: Oh Gosh, I’ve Turned Into My Mother," 15 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'slatternly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of slatternly

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Time Traveler for slatternly

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The first known use of slatternly was in 1677

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Cite this Entry

“Slatternly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slatternly. Accessed 22 Feb. 2020.

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