sloppy joe

noun

slop·​py joe ˈslä-pē-ˈjō 

1

often Sloppy Joe : a loose-fitting sweater especially for girls

2

: ground beef cooked in a thick spicy sauce and usually served on a bun

Examples of sloppy joe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Today, Culinary Hill has grown into a site that’s 1,379 recipes strong, including classics such as sloppy joes and slow cooker meatballs with grape jelly sauce. — Karla Walsh, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

Nobody can resist a saucy, savory sloppy joe, but you're bound to leave a sloppy joe meal with at least one article of clothing stained. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 22 May 2026

Defrost the frozen sloppy joe meat in the refrigerator overnight, or thaw the container in a bowl of cold water until somewhat softened, then transfer it to a saucepan to heat through. — Martha Stewart, 17 Apr. 2026

Traditional sloppy joes are way too sweet and ketchup-y for my taste. — ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably from the name Joe, nickname for Joseph

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for sloppy joe

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau