What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
slatternly
Example
She was slatternly dressed, with her hair unkempt and her clothes wrinkled. [slatternly: adjective]
Example
The slatternly state of the kitchen made it difficult to cook anything. [slatternly: adjective]
Example
The slatternly behavior of the students disrupted the class and made it hard to teach. [slatternly: adjective]
slovenly
Example
He was slovenly dressed, with his shirt untucked and his shoes scuffed. [slovenly: adjective]
Example
The slovenly state of the living room made it hard to relax and enjoy the space. [slovenly: adjective]
Example
The slovenly attitude of the employees led to poor customer service and low productivity. [slovenly: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Slovenly is more commonly used than slatternly in everyday language. Slovenly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while slatternly is less common and may be considered old-fashioned or obsolete.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between slatternly and slovenly?
Both slatternly and slovenly are informal words that are typically used in casual or negative contexts. However, slatternly may have a stronger negative connotation and may be considered more offensive or insulting in some situations.
