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 of sloppy

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

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

Yet that late-2024 comeback rally peaked a week into December before a sloppy three-week retreat into the close of that year. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 29 Nov. 2025

The relaxed, mid‑rise fit and wide legs drape perfectly without looking sloppy, and the elastic waistband with a drawstring keeps everything comfy and secure. —Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025

Something tells me Notre Dame, which still needs to not only win, but win big, to secure a CFP berth, will not be nearly that sloppy this evening. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025

Any flakes that fall near the shoreline will be wet and sloppy with poor sticking power. —Jacob Wycoff, CBS News, 28 Nov. 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