slovenly

[sluhv-uhn-lee, slov-]

adjective

slovenlier, slovenliest 

1. untidy or unclean in appearance or habits.

   Synonyms: slatternly, slutty
   Antonyms: neat

2. characteristic of a sloven; slipshod.

   slovenly work.

   Synonyms: disorderly, loose, careless
   Antonyms: careful

adverb

1. in an untidy, careless, or slipshod manner.

slovenly

/ ˈslʌvənlɪ /

adjective

1. frequently or habitually unclean or untidy

2. negligent and careless; slipshod

   slovenly manners

adverb

1. in a negligent or slovenly manner

Other Word Forms

• slovenliness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of slovenly¹

First recorded in 1505–15; sloven + -ly

Example Sentences

The intent for him was to start as a slovenly, annoying neighbor, but under Molly’s gaze transform into something more special, warmer and open.

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You could be assigned a slovenly party animal who makes your life miserable or a studious bookworm you don’t see all semester.

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He was a favorite punching bag of the mainstream media, a slovenly suburban Ahab doomed to fail.

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Hannah is as entitled and narcissistic as the others, but slovenly in a way that, for some reason, made her seem . . . what’s the word?

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Oscar winner Gary Oldman’s slovenly Jackson Lamb runs Slough House, where bickering loser agents compete to redeem their trashed reputations.

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