sloppy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sloppy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is done carelessly or with a lack of attention to detail. For example: "He wrote the report in a sloppy manner, so many important facts were omitted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, many of the defects in British industrial output once blamed on the unions – some of them correctly – are still there in the shape of low productivity linked to underinvestment, sloppy management and inferior products that are not marketed or sold abroad in sufficient numbers.

The Guardian

The Montreal striker had been quiet since his surprise trade from Philadelphia, only to play a crucial two goal role in taking his side past Edmonton in the Canadian Championship in midweek, and then in opening the scoring against DC on Saturday, after some sloppy United defending had let Justin Mapp set him up from the byline.

The Guardian - Sport

At first I thought he was kidding; doing a bad imitation of an enraged, sloppy drunk.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There were long periods of this display which were desperately unimpressive against a team put to the sword a fortnight ago and the memories with which the Premier League leaders left Slovenia were more of a rare Eden Hazard penalty miss, an undeniably sloppy performance and even a show of dissatisfaction by the travelling support which clearly went unappreciated by those in the visitors' dug-out.

The Guardian - Sport

Inverness had been sloppy for half an hour.

The Guardian - Sport

"There's a lot of sloppy talk going around this country that there should be no place in the concerns of a federal Labor government for the Alan Bonds of this world; I want to repudiate that nonsense unequivocally," he said.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's a lot of sloppy talk going around this country that there should be no place... for the Alan Bonds Bob Hawke Even those 80s cultural productions that weren't actually set in the 50s often invoked that decade's atmosphere: think of the return of rockabilly, the renewed popularity of Superman, the endless remakes of West Side Story.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was only one occasion in the opening 45 minutes when the most parsimonious defence in Spanish football looked vulnerable and that was the chance that fell to Bale, after Tiago's sloppy pass, in the 32nd minute.

The Guardian - Sport

The LSE flyer, handed out at the freshers' fair a week ago, described women as "mingers", "trollops" and "slags", said the club would not tolerate "outright homosexual debauchery" and encouraged would-be members to do their best to "pull a sloppy bird".

The Guardian

And as for wider society – now that we've got to pay off the bankers' binge, we won't be able to afford sloppy morals in quite the way we've been doing lately.

The Guardian

Michelle and Barack don't force them to dress like little political zombie children, but let them appear in public in clumpy shoes and sloppy cardigans, looking bored and embarrassed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sloppy" to describe work or performance, consider specifying what aspects are lacking (e.g., "sloppy research" versus just "sloppy").

Common error

While both words describe a lack of order, "sloppy" often implies carelessness or a lack of effort, whereas "untidy" simply refers to a lack of neatness without necessarily implying negligence.

Linguistic Context

The word "sloppy" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something lacking care, precision, or neatness. Ludwig AI confirms this through its example sentences, where "sloppy" is used to characterize actions, conditions, or objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "sloppy" functions as an adjective used to describe something lacking care, precision, or neatness. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically correct and is frequently used across varied contexts, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and general writing. It typically carries a negative connotation, serving to criticize or negatively evaluate something. While "sloppy" is suitable for neutral contexts, more precise language might be preferred for formal or academic writing. Alternative words include "careless", "negligent", and "slipshod", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

careless

Focuses more on the lack of attention or diligence.

negligent

Implies a failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility.

slipshod

Highlights the poor quality of work due to carelessness.

haphazard

Emphasizes the lack of planning or organization.

messy

Refers to a lack of neatness or order.

imprecise

Indicates a lack of accuracy or exactness.

slapdash

Highlights the haste and lack of attention to detail.

lax

Implies a lack of strictness or rigor.

loose

Focuses on the lack of precision or control.

inattentive

Highlights a lack of focus and awareness.

FAQs

How can I use "sloppy" in a sentence?

You can use "sloppy" to describe anything done carelessly or messily. For example, "The report was full of "sloppy mistakes"", or "He made a "sloppy pass" during the game".

What's a good alternative to the word "sloppy"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "careless", "negligent", or "slipshod". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to describe something as "sloppy" or "inaccurate"?

It depends on what you want to emphasize. "Sloppy" suggests a lack of care or effort, while "inaccurate" focuses on the incorrectness of the information or result. Something can be "sloppy but accurate", or vice versa.

What does it mean when someone describes writing as "sloppy"?

When writing is called "sloppy", it usually means the writing contains errors, is poorly organized, or lacks clarity. This could involve "sloppy grammar", "sloppy logic", or a general lack of attention to detail.