slipshod

American  

[slip-shod] / ˈslɪpˌʃɒd /

adjective

1. careless, untidy, or slovenly.

   slipshod work.

   Synonyms:

   messy, lax, sloppy, loose

2. down-at-heel; seedy; shabby.

3. Archaic. wearing slippers or loose shoes, especially ones worn at the heel.

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slipshod British  

/ ˈslɪpˌʃɒd /

adjective

1. (of an action) negligent; careless

2. (of a person's appearance) slovenly; down-at-heel

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• slipshoddiness
  noun
• slipshodness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of slipshod

First recorded in 1570–80; slip ¹ + shod

Explanation

When someone does something in a slipshod manner, they do it in a way that's careless and sloppy — that isn't right. An easy way to remember the meaning of slipshod is to note that "shod" is part of "shoddy," another word for slipshod. (Alert: despite their similarity, slipshod isn't genetically related to shoddy.) Or you can use "slip" to clue yourself in. Originally, someone who looked slipshod was wearing worn-out slippers: they were shod in slippers.

Example Sentences

And it’s merely one example of the bill’s slipshod construction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

But she still objected to her colleagues’ slipshod way of killing it prematurely over the shadow docket.

From Slate • Sep. 22, 2025

The court heard the workmanship shown by the gang had been "slipshod" and dangerous in quality.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2025

But if regulations are slipshod, a plutonium-producing gamble in a warhead-hungry world could lead to incalculable losses — at a speed far faster than that of our melting glaciers.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2024

Because of settling and erosion and downright slipshod construction, they tilted dangerously toward the street.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls