sloppy
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
done without enough care or effort.
characterised by a lack of care, precision, or attention to detail. Often used to describe work, thinking, or habits.
Simple“The report was full of sloppy mistakes because he finished it in a hurry.”
In context“The editor rejected the manuscript, citing sloppy research and a general lack of coherent argumentation throughout the middle chapters.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
large and loose in a way that looks untidy.
fitting loosely or hanging in an untidy fashion. Frequently collocates with items of clothing like sweaters or jeans.
Simple“He wore a sloppy old sweater while he worked in the garden.”
In context“She preferred wearing sloppy, oversized sweatshirts during long flights to ensure maximum comfort during the overnight journey.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
showing too much emotion in a way that feels silly or annoying.
excessively sentimental or emotional. Often carries a slightly derogatory tone regarding the lack of emotional restraint.
Simple“I don't like those sloppy romantic movies where everyone is always crying.”
In context“The critic dismissed the finale as a sloppy display of sentimentality that failed to resolve the complex themes established earlier in the series.”
Synonyms
“Porto pushed the English giants back for the rest of the second half but lacked the quality to punish Enzo Maresca’s men despite a series of sloppy errors from the visitors.”
From slop + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.