Words / C1

SLUVNL-ee/ˈslʌvnli/

Slovenly means untidy and careless, especially in appearance or work: slovenly rounding, slovenly methods. Careless (already in the dictionary) is everyday; mess in the abstract is still a fiction.

Meaning

Untidy and careless, especially in appearance or work (from careless, already in the dictionary).

Examples

• “Slovenly rounding in the abstract is still a methods fiction.”
• “Careless is already in this course. Untidy is the close twin. Rounding is a slogan. A codebook line is methods. Write the raw number; then polish the abstract if the rule still allows it.”

Good to know

Messy and careless. Everyday: careless (already in the dictionary). Rounding ≠ a true n.

Near in meaning

untidy, careless, slipshod

New