- frequently or habitually unclean or untidy
- negligent and careless; slipshod: slovenly manners
- in a negligent or slovenly manner
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
slov•en•ly /ˈslʌvənli/USA pronunciation
adj., -li•er, -li•est, adv.
adj.
adv.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026adj.
- untidy or unclean in appearance;
sloppy:a slovenly room in a cheap hotel. - careless or sloppy:slovenly work.
adv.
- in an untidy, careless, or slipshod manner.
slov•en•ly
(sluv′ən lē),USA pronunciation adj., -li•er, li•est, adv.
adj.
adv.
slov′en•li•ness, n.
adj.
- untidy or unclean in appearance or habits.
- characteristic of a sloven;
slipshod:slovenly work.
adv.
- in an untidy, careless, or slipshod manner.
- sloven + -ly 1505–15
- 1. sluttish, slatternly. 2. careless, loose, disorderly.
- 1. neat. 2. careful.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
slovenly /ˈslʌvənlɪ/ adj
'slovenly' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
blowsy
- dowdy
- grubby
- heel
- hog
- raunchy
- slattern
- slipshod
- slob
- slouch
- unkempt
- untidy
- bite
- cow
- dirty
- disheveled
- draggle-tailed
- frowzy
- hoggery
- hoodlum
- inconsiderate
- piggish
- trash
- trollop
- schleppy
- schlump
- scroungy
- shabby
- skell
- slatternly
- sleaze
- slop
- sloppy
- Sloppy Joe
- slut
- slutty
- speech