slovenly

1 of 2

adjective

slov·​en·​ly ˈslə-vən-lē 

also ˈslä-

1

a

: untidy especially in personal appearance

b

: lazily slipshod

slovenly in thought

2

: characteristic of a sloven

slovenly habits

slovenliness noun

slovenly adverb

slovenliness

2 of 2

noun

slov·​en·​li·​ness

ˈslə|vənlēnə̇s, 

-lin- sometimes -lä| or |vᵊml- or |bᵊml-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being slovenly

Synonyms of slovenly

Adjective

• sloppily
• chaotically

Examples of slovenly in a Sentence

Adjective

He dressed in a slovenly manner.

for the sake of their image, the band members transformed themselves from clean-cut lads to slovenly rockers

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

And this is where the movie takes off from retro mythology to become its own slovenly mod thing. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026

To Washington, a beard made a man look unkempt and slovenly, masking the higher emotions that civility required. —Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025

The other near certainty in Lead Actor should be Gary Oldman, who anchors Slow Horses with a slovenly charisma that is, against all odds, deeply watchable. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 24 May 2025

Disappointed Steve Dear Steve: The real disappointment comes from slovenly people who throw trash onto our highways, or fail to properly secure their cargo. —Frank Fellone, Arkansas Online, 2 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

slovenly

adjective

slov·​en·​ly ˈsləv-ən-lē 

1

a

: untidy especially in dress or person

b

: lazily careless

2

: characteristic of a sloven

slovenliness noun

slovenly adverb