sloven

[ sluhv-uhn ]

/ ˈslʌv ən /

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noun

a person who is habitually negligent of neatness or cleanliness in dress, appearance, etc.

a person who works, acts, speaks, etc., in a negligent, slipshod manner.

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Origin of sloven

1400–50; late Middle English sloveyn, perhaps <Middle Dutch slof careless (Dutch slof careless, sloven to toil) + -inne feminine noun suffix

Words nearby sloven

slough, slough off, Slovak, Slovakia, Slovakian, sloven, Slovene, Slovenia, Slovenian, slovenly, slow

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How to use sloven in a sentence

As to his being a sloven in dress, is that what they say about him?
The Rose of Old St. Louis|Mary Dillon
She carried a sloven list that brought her port chains under, and she shouldered at her anchor like a drunken man at a post.
Where the Pavement Ends|John Russell
Besides, the appearance of a well-dressed man commands a certain degree of respect which would never be shown to a sloven.
Martine's Hand-book of Etiquette, and Guide to True Politeness|Arthur Martine
A sloven, except on Sundays and courting-days, and then only clean on the outside.
The Knickerbocker, Vol. 10, No. 3, September 1837|Various

He used to be quite a sloven in his dress; you know how very slovenly most American gentlemen are in their dress, at any rate.
Indian Summer|William D. Howells

British Dictionary definitions for sloven

sloven

/ (ˈslʌvən) /

noun

a person who is habitually negligent in appearance, hygiene, or work

Word Origin for sloven

C15: probably related to Flemish sloef dirty, Dutch slof negligent

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sloven

Origin of sloven

Words nearby sloven

Words related to sloven

How to use sloven in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sloven

Word Origin for sloven