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 three-part Season 5 premiere feels incredibly sloppy to me overall. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

With that history and with Aaron Glenn trying to deliver a message just one game into his head coaching career, Gipson will serve as the example to the rest of the Jets' roster that sloppy turnovers will not be tolerated. —Michael Hurley, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

According to Amazon reviews, the material is soft with just the right amount of stretch, while the fit is roomy without looking sloppy. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025

In a sloppy game, the Eagles will take pride in the turnover differential — the Eagles forced one and did not turn the ball over. —The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 5 Sep. 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