slovenly

adjective

slov·​en·​ly ˈslə-vən-lē How to pronounce slovenly (audio)
also ˈslä-
Synonyms of slovenly
1
a
: untidy especially in personal appearance
b
: lazily slipshod
slovenly in thought
2
: characteristic of a sloven
slovenly habits
slovenliness noun
slovenly adverb

Synonyms of slovenly

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Examples of slovenly in a Sentence

He dressed in a slovenly manner. for the sake of their image, the band members transformed themselves from clean-cut lads to slovenly rockers
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.
And this is where the movie takes off from retro mythology to become its own slovenly mod thing. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026 Giraffes at least keep the water sports to themselves; their slovenly, muck-loving neighbors, on the other hand, spread the excrement far and wide. — Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024 To Washington, a beard made a man look unkempt and slovenly, masking the higher emotions that civility required. — Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025 To them, flame is slovenly, backward, even atavistic, tolerable only when used for ceremonial purposes. — Stephen Pyne, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024 See All Example Sentences for slovenly

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of slovenly was circa 1568

Browse Nearby Words

slovenliness
slovenly
slovenness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slovenly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slovenly. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

slovenly

adjective
slov·​en·​ly ˈsləv-ən-lē How to pronounce slovenly (audio)
1
a
: untidy especially in dress or person
b
: lazily careless
2
: characteristic of a sloven
slovenliness noun
slovenly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on slovenly

Nglish: Translation of slovenly for Spanish Speakers

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