What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
slovenly
Example
He was criticized for his slovenly appearance at the job interview. [slovenly: adjective]
Example
The kitchen was left in a slovenly state after the party. [slovenly: adverb]
Example
She did a slovenly job of cleaning the house. [slovenly: adverb]
unkempt
Example
He showed up to the meeting with unkempt hair and wrinkled clothes. [unkempt: adjective]
Example
The garden was left unkempt for months and became overgrown with weeds. [unkempt: adjective]
Example
Her notes were in an unkempt state, with scribbles and crossings-out everywhere. [unkempt: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unkempt is more commonly used than slovenly in everyday language. Unkempt is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while slovenly is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between slovenly and unkempt?
Slovenly is typically associated with a formal and serious tone, while unkempt is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
