slovenly

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

Synonyms

• sloppily
• chaotically

Examples of slovenly in a Sentence

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

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

Related Stories The movie O’Neil has put together out of this footage, which premiered last night at Cannes, is by any real-world standard a slovenly and undisciplined piece of work. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 19 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

Slough House is headed by the slovenly, flatulent, and frequently intoxicated Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), who routinely heaps verbal abuse on his staff but is nonetheless a brilliant spymaster in his own smelly way. —Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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