slovenly

sloven +‎ -ly.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈslʌv.ən.li/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈslʌv.ən.li/, /ˈslɒv.ən.li/

  • Audio (Southern England)

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• Hyphenation: slo‧ven‧ly

slovenly (comparative slovenlier, superlative slovenliest)

1. Having an untidy appearance; unkempt.
   • 1796, “The Unexpected Reformation”, in The Blossoms of Morality‎, page 35:

     The same marks of indolence appeared in the care of his person; for every part of his dress was generally in disorder; and, though he was well made and handsome, yet his slovenly appearance made him disgustful to every one.

   • 1857, M[arcellus] F. Cowdery, “Lesson XVI. Be Neat.”, in Elementary Moral Lessons For Schools and Families‎, Philadelphia: H. Cowperthwait & Co., page 132:

     Which would you sooner employ, a boy who was plainly, yet neatly clad, or one who had a slovenly appearance, though dressed in fine clothes?

2. Dirty, unwashed; disorderly.
3. Careless or negligent; sloppy.
   • 1848 April, Joseph Barker, The Christian, volume IV, number XC/XCI:

     You say my pamphlet betrays the most slovenly rashness. But where is your proof?

   • 1909 June, “Character Sketch. Sir Robert Stout; or, 'Tis Forty-Six Years Since.”, in W. T. Stead, editor, The Review of Reviews‎, volume XXXIX, →OCLC:

     British goods have often been despatched in such careless and slovenly fashion that they arrived half broken. The same goods supplied by Germans were packed with such admirable care that they reached their destination quite safely.

• See also Thesaurus:careless

• slovenliness

slovenly (comparative more slovenly, superlative most slovenly)

1. In a slovenly manner.