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 of slovenly

• 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

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

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