What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sloppiest
Example
Out of all the students, John's room is the sloppiest. [sloppiest: superlative adjective]
Example
This is the sloppiest report I have ever seen. [sloppiest: superlative adjective]
slovenly
Example
He was dressed in a slovenly manner with wrinkled clothes and unkempt hair. [slovenly: adverb]
Example
The house was in a slovenly state with piles of dirty dishes and laundry everywhere. [slovenly: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sloppy is more commonly used than slovenly in everyday language. Sloppy is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while slovenly is less common and has a more formal tone.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sloppiest and slovenly?
Slovenly is more formal than sloppiest, which is often used in casual conversation. Slovenly is typically used in more professional or academic settings where a more precise and formal vocabulary is expected.
