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

• blowsy
• blowzy
• dowdy
• frowsy
• frowzy
• slobbish
• slobby
• sloven
• slovenly
• unkempt
• untidy

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 Trump administration has been accused of being sloppy in selecting its targets for arrest and deportation, with critics accusing them of relying on tattoo symbols and clothing to make their allegations of gang affiliation. —Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025

Given publicly available information and pages of corrections Tyler provided to the reporters, the editorial board’s commentary is at best sloppy. —Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025

Overall, an entertaining 2-2 draw couldn’t hide the cracks of what was, at times, a sloppy performance by both teams. —Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025

Bring Instead: Trendy Queen Women’s Oversized Hoodie $37 $33 at Amazon This butter-soft hoodie is the ultimate travel accessory: breathable yet warm, and roomy enough for layering without looking sloppy. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 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