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definitions

slovenly

[ sluhv-uhn-lee ]
/ ˈslʌv ən li /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR slovenly ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, slov·en·li·er, slov·en·li·est.

untidy or unclean in appearance or habits.
characteristic of a sloven; slipshod: slovenly work.

adverb

in an untidy, careless, or slipshod manner.

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RELATED WORDS

messiness, untidiness, disorganization

Nearby words

  1. slovakia,
  2. slovakian,
  3. sloven,
  4. slovene,
  5. slovenia,
  6. slow,
  7. slow burn,
  8. slow but steady wins the race,
  9. slow but sure,
  10. slow cooker

Origin of slovenly

First recorded in 1505–15; sloven + -ly
ANTONYMS FOR slovenly
1. neat. 2. careful.
SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR slovenly ON THESAURUS.COM
Related formsslov·en·li·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for slovenliness

British Dictionary definitions for slovenliness

slovenly

/ (ˈslʌvənlɪ) /

adjective

frequently or habitually unclean or untidy
negligent and careless; slipshodslovenly manners

adverb

in a negligent or slovenly manner
Derived Formsslovenliness, noun
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
Word Origin and History for slovenliness

slovenly

adj.

1510s, "low, base, lewd," later "untidy, dirty" (1560s), from sloven + -ly (1). Related: Slovenliness; also in this sense was slovenry (1540s), which OED reports in common use early 17c.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper