Sloppy
'slɒpi
Definitions
3 meaningsCharacterized by a lack of care, neatness, or attention to detail.
'slɒpi
Careless and not neat
Her handwriting was sloppy and difficult to read.
💡 Simply: Imagine your room after you've been playing all day, with toys everywhere and clothes on the floor. That's sloppy! It means things are messy and not well-organized.
👶 For kids: When things are messy or not done carefully, like spilling juice or coloring outside the lines.
More Examples
The construction work was sloppy, with several errors.
Don't be sloppy with your homework; take your time and be careful.
How It's Used
"He left his room a sloppy mess."
"The chef's sloppy presentation ruined the dish."
Excessively sentimental or emotional, especially in a way that is considered embarrassing or insincere.
'slɒpi
Excessively sentimental
The novel's romantic scenes bordered on the sloppy side.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, when people try to show their feelings in a movie or a book, they go a little overboard and make it too cheesy or emotional. That's kind of sloppy, like they didn't quite get it right.
👶 For kids: When something is trying too hard to make you feel sad or happy, but it doesn't feel real.
More Examples
Critics found the film’s emotional climax to be sloppy.
She thought the movie was a little sloppy with its overly dramatic music.
How It's Used
"The film's ending was criticized as being too sloppy."
Covered in a lot of liquid or containing more liquid than is necessary or wanted.
'slɒpi
Wet or containing liquid
The sidewalks were sloppy with melting snow.
💡 Simply: When something is wet, runny, or full of liquid, it's sloppy. Like a spilled glass of water or a soup that’s too watery.
👶 For kids: When something is wet and not very solid, like mud after it rains.
More Examples
She made a sloppy batch of mashed potatoes.
Don't make the batter too sloppy; it needs to be thick.
How It's Used
"The ground was sloppy after the rain."
"I don't like sloppy joes."
Synonyms & Antonyms
From 'slob', meaning a lazy or untidy person, likely of Scandinavian origin. The suffix '-y' is added to form the adjective.
The term's usage developed from describing physical messiness to broader applications relating to careless behavior and sentimentality.
Memory tip
Think of a slob! Sloppy = messy and careless.
Word Origin
"Dirty, untidy"