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

• blowsy
• blowzy
• dowdy
• frowsy
• frowzy
• slobbish
• slobby
• sloppy
• sloven
• unkempt
• untidy

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

Keith Richards’ and Ron Wood’s guitars are crisp and uncluttered, with most of the slovenly strumming of the past banished. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2023

Trump’s bizarre and slovenly behavior with classified material was a disgrace. —Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 21 June 2023

Keith and Anita have been living as a slovenly, decadent version of a domestic family unit. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 30 May 2023

That’s what infused his slovenly pirate thing with such style. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 30 May 2023

Felix Unger was a fastidious commercial photographer; Oscar Madison was a slovenly sportswriter. —Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Apr. 2023

There’s no defense for the slovenly ethics of the past. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2023

Her Flora is furious and tender, sharp-edged and easily wounded, a slovenly mess and a whip-smart dynamo. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 24 Jan. 2023

Suppose an overbearing manager scolds you for your slovenly workspace. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 2 June 2021

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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