Slovenly — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /ˈslə-vən-lē/ slov·en·ly

Meaning & Definition of Slovenly

Slovenly (adjective)

  1. untidy especially in personal appearance
  2. lazily slipshod
  3. characteristic of a sloven

Slovenly (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. lacking neatness in dress or person

    "for the sake of their image, the band members transformed themselves from clean-cut lads to slovenly rockers"

    similar: blowsy, dowdy, frowsy, slobbish, slobby, sloppy, sloven, unkempt, untidy
    related: slatternly, chaotic, cluttered, confused, disarranged, disheveled, disordered, messed, messy, muddled, mussed, mussy, rumpled, shaggy, uncombed, wrinkled, shabby, sleazy, besmirched, blackened, dingy, dirty, filthy, foul, grimy, grubby, grungy, mucky, nasty, scroungy, scuzzy (slang), soiled, spotted, squalid, stained, sullied, unclean, uncleanly
    opposite: dapper, dashing, dolled up, sharp, smart, spruce
    near: chic, fashionable, modish, stylish, combed, groomed, neat, ordered, orderly, tidy, careful, fastidious, fussy, meticulous, clean, cleaned, cleanly, immaculate, sparkling, spotless, stainless, unsoiled, unsullied

Slovenly (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. in a careless or unfashionable manner

    "an employee who went overboard on dress-down day and was reprimanded for dressing slovenly on the job"

    similar: dowdily, sloppily
    related: slatternly, chaotically, messily, untidily, shabbily, sleazily, dingily, dirtily, filthily, foully, grubbily, nastily
    opposite: nattily, sharply, smart, smartly, sprucely
    near: neatly, orderly, tidily, fashionably, modishly, carefully, fastidiously, fussily, meticulously, cleanly, immaculately, spotlessly

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Slovenly

The most common words with a similar meaning to Slovenly:

blowsy, dowdy, frowsy, slobbish, slobby, sloppy, sloven, unkempt, untidy, dowdily, sloppily

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Slovenly

Words with the opposite meaning of Slovenly:

dapper, dashing, dolled up, sharp, smart, spruce, nattily, sharply, smartly, sprucely

Related Words for Slovenly

slatternly, chaotic, cluttered, confused, disarranged, disheveled, disordered, messed, messy, muddled, mussed, mussy, rumpled, shaggy, uncombed, wrinkled, shabby, sleazy, besmirched, blackened, dingy, dirty, filthy, foul, grimy, grubby, grungy, mucky, nasty, scroungy

Near Antonyms of Slovenly

chic, fashionable, modish, stylish, combed, groomed, neat, ordered, orderly, tidy, careful, fastidious, fussy, meticulous, clean, cleaned, cleanly, immaculate, sparkling, spotless, stainless, unsoiled, unsullied, neatly, tidily, fashionably, modishly, carefully, fastidiously, fussily

Word Forms of Slovenly

Derived words: slovenliness (noun), slovenly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Slovenly

First known use: circa 1568

Frequently Asked Questions about Slovenly

What does "Slovenly" mean?

"Slovenly" means untidy especially in personal appearance. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: untidy especially in personal appearance. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Slovenly"?

Other words for "Slovenly" include blowsy, dowdy, frowsy, slobbish, slobby, sloppy, sloven and unkempt. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Slovenly" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Slovenly"?

There are 60 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Slovenly". Common alternatives include blowsy, dowdy, frowsy, slobbish, slobby, sloppy, sloven, unkempt, untidy and dowdily.

What is the opposite of "Slovenly"?

Antonyms of "Slovenly" include dapper, dashing, dolled up, sharp, smart, spruce, nattily and sharply. Near antonyms include chic, fashionable, modish and stylish.

How do you use "Slovenly" in a sentence?

Examples of "Slovenly" in a sentence: "for the sake of their image, the band members transformed themselves from clean-cut lads to slovenly rockers"; "an employee who went overboard on dress-down day and was reprimanded for dressing slovenly on the job".

Is "Slovenly" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Slovenly" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Slovenly"?

"Slovenly" is pronounced /ˈslə-vən-lē/ and divided into syllables as slov·en·ly.

What is the origin of the word "Slovenly"?

First known use: circa 1568.