# sloppy

/ˈsɫɑpi/ (US) · /slˈɒpi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sloppy
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. careless or messy

adjective · CEFR B2

done without enough care or effort.

For teachers: characterised by a lack of care, precision, or attention to detail. Often used to describe work, thinking, or habits.

- The report was full of sloppy mistakes because he finished it in a hurry.
- The editor rejected the manuscript, citing sloppy research and a general lack of coherent argumentation throughout the middle chapters.

### 2. loose or ill-fitting

adjective · CEFR B2

large and loose in a way that looks untidy.

For teachers: fitting loosely or hanging in an untidy fashion. Frequently collocates with items of clothing like sweaters or jeans.

- He wore a sloppy old sweater while he worked in the garden.
- She preferred wearing sloppy, oversized sweatshirts during long flights to ensure maximum comfort during the overnight journey.

### 4. overly emotional

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

showing too much emotion in a way that feels silly or annoying.

For teachers: excessively sentimental or emotional. Often carries a slightly derogatory tone regarding the lack of emotional restraint.

- I don't like those sloppy romantic movies where everyone is always crying.
- The critic dismissed the finale as a sloppy display of sentimentality that failed to resolve the complex themes established earlier in the series.

## Examples

- He did a sloppy job on the report.
- The coach was angry because the players made several sloppy passes that led to the other team scoring.
- While the initial hypothesis was brilliant, the sloppy data collection methods eventually undermined the credibility of the entire research project.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.