sloppy joe

noun

slop·​py joe ˈslä-pē-ˈjō How to pronounce sloppy joe (audio)
1
often Sloppy Joe : a loose-fitting sweater especially for girls
2
: ground beef cooked in a thick spicy sauce and usually served on a bun

Examples of sloppy joe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Traditional sloppy joes are way too sweet and ketchup-y for my taste. — ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026 On the serving table, the bowl of potato salad was scrapped clean and the slow cooker of sloppy joes was empty. — Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 12 June 2025 Nobody can resist a saucy, savory sloppy joe, but you're bound to leave a sloppy joe meal with at least one article of clothing stained. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 22 May 2026 Picadillo, a main course usually made with ground beef, tomatoes, olives and capers, could be described as a sloppy joe with a Spanish accent. — Faye Levy, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sloppy joe

Word History

Etymology

probably from the name Joe, nickname for Joseph

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of sloppy joe was in 1940

Rhymes for sloppy joe

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Browse Nearby Words

sloppy
sloppy joe
slopseller
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sloppy joe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sloppy%20joe. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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