slatternly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slatternly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is untidy or careless in appearance or behavior. Example: "Her slatternly attire made a poor impression at the formal event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The slatternly, drunken woman is a cypher for Mother's Ruin, contemporary slang for gin.

The Economist

His befuddled father, Thomas Haden Church, his slatternly stepmother, Gina Gershon, and even his wide-eyed sister, Juno Temple, go along with his plan.

Independent

Merely reading about such slatternly ways is probably enough to have the hygiene freaks among you reaching for your hand sanitiser.

Independent

"He'll come to you when he's ready," a slatternly woman with a bucket and mop curtly informed her, and didn't answer when Miss Cotell remarked on the weather.

The New Yorker

The latter had seven children and a slatternly wife who drank and broke her marriage vows, too.

The New Yorker

But her real trick was to play a slatternly character in glitter and plumes, without condescending or making her comical.

The New Yorker

The irony is that any critic back then who knew which end was up would have recognized that Harrison's slabbish simplicities represented the future, while Hood's slatternly streamlinings were a quaint carryover from a dying Beaux-Arts tradition, however hard he tried to dress them up in Cubist clothes.

The New Yorker

Like Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter), the slatternly piemaker for whom Sweeney provides the human fillings ("Shepherd's pie peppered / With actual shepherd"), Burton likes to overcook things.

The New Yorker

She could be slatternly and tough, as in "BUtterfield 8" (1960), but the full range of her temperament — taunting, delicate, disappointed, hurt, avaricious — came out at last in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" (1966), in which she snarled at Richard Burton, a truly sensational performance that was both a piece of great acting and a piece of extraordinary gossip.

The New Yorker

She has become slatternly and suspicious, feeling tormented by Evil Powers.

The New Yorker

The dismal quarter of Soho seen under these changing glimpses, with its muddy ways, and slatternly passengers, and its lamps, which had never been extinguished or had been kindled afresh to combat this mournful re-invasion of darkness, seemed, in the lawyer's eyes, like a district of some city in a nightmare.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slatternly" to vividly depict a character's lack of care for appearance and surroundings. It adds a critical layer of judgment beyond simple untidiness.

Common error

Be mindful of the negative connotation associated with "slatternly". It's rarely appropriate in neutral or positive descriptions. Consider words like "disheveled" or "untidy" for less judgmental descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "slatternly" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe someone or something characterized by untidiness and neglect. Ludwig shows numerous examples where it describes a person's appearance or habits.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slatternly" is a grammatically correct adjective that vividly describes someone's untidy or careless appearance and behavior, as confirmed by Ludwig. While frequently used in news and media, especially to characterize individuals in a judgmental way, it carries a negative connotation that should be considered carefully. Related terms like "untidy" or "disheveled" can provide less harsh alternatives, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

untidy

Focuses primarily on the lack of order or cleanliness.

slovenly

Suggests a lack of care in appearance and habits, similar to "slatternly" but can also apply to men.

messy

A more general term indicating a lack of order; less harsh than "slatternly".

disheveled

Specifically refers to a state of disorder in appearance, particularly hair or clothing.

unkempt

Describes a lack of grooming or care in appearance.

shabby

Implies worn or dilapidated condition, often of clothing or surroundings.

neglected

Highlights a lack of care or attention, whether personal or environmental.

careless

Emphasizes a lack of attention to detail or neatness.

dowdy

Suggests a lack of style or attractiveness in appearance.

disorderly

Focuses on a lack of order and arrangement.

FAQs

What does "slatternly" mean?

"Slatternly" describes someone, usually a woman, who is untidy, dirty, and careless in appearance or habits.

How can I use "slatternly" in a sentence?

You can use "slatternly" to describe someone's appearance or behavior, for example: "She had a "slatternly" appearance with unkempt hair and stained clothing."

What's a less harsh synonym for "slatternly"?

Depending on the context, you could use "untidy", "disheveled", or "slovenly" as alternatives to "slatternly".

What's the difference between "slatternly" and "slovenly"?

While both terms describe a lack of neatness, "slatternly" is typically used for women and implies a degree of moral laxity, while "slovenly" can be used for both genders and focuses more on carelessness in appearance.