Dictionary
Thesaurus
Medical
Scrabble®
Spanish Central
Browse DictionaryBrowse Thesaurus
Get our free apps!iPhone•iPad•Android
Games
Word of the Day
Video
Blog: Words at Play
My Faves
Dictionary

sloppy

adjective slop·py \ˈslä-pē\

: not careful or neat : showing a lack of care, attention, or effort

: romantic in a foolish or exaggerated way

: containing or involving a lot of liquid or too much liquid

slop·pi·erslop·pi·est

Full Definition of SLOPPY

1
a :  wet so as to spatter easily :  slushy <a sloppy racetrack>
b :  wet or smeared with or as if with something slopped over
2
:  slovenly, careless <a sloppy dresser> <did sloppy work>
3
:  disagreeably effusive <sloppy sentimentalism>
— slop·pi·ly \ˈslä-pə-lē\ adverb
— slop·pi·ness noun
See sloppy defined for English-language learners
See sloppy defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT

First Known Use of SLOPPY

1672

Related to SLOPPY

Synonyms
blowsy (also blowzy), dowdy, frowsy (or frowzy), slobbish, slobby, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy
Antonyms
dapper, dashing, dolled up, sharp, smart, spruce
SLOPPY Defined for Kids

sloppy

adjective slop·py \ˈslä-pē\
slop·pi·erslop·pi·est

Definition of SLOPPY for Kids

1
:  careless in work or in appearance
2
:  wet enough to spatter easily :  containing a lot of moisture <sloppy mud>

Learn More About SLOPPY

Browse

2 ENTRIES FOUND:
  1. sloppy
  2. sloppy joe
Next Word in the Dictionary: sloppy joePrevious Word in the Dictionary: slop pailAll Words Near: sloppy
ADVERTISEMENT
10 Charming Words for Nasty People
Put-downs with flair
Learn More
When "Literally" isn't, well, literal
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Watch Now
Know what this is?
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Go Play
Fear of cats?
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears
Learn More
Join Us
Merriam-Webster
on Facebook
Merriam-Webster
on Twitter
Bookstore: Digital and Print
Merriam-Webster references for Mobile, Kindle, print, and more.
See All
Other Merriam-Webster Dictionaries