sloppy
sloppy — adjective
- sloppypositive
- sloppiercomparative
- sloppiestsuperlative
1. describes a substance that has too much liquid mixed into it, so that it feels m
describes a substance that has too much liquid mixed into it, so that it feels messy or unpleasant to touch or eat.
The oatmeal was so sloppy that Jun could not eat it with a spoon.
be + so sloppy + that-clause
After the snow melted, the dirt path turned into a sloppy mess.
collocation: sloppy mess
The paint mixture was too sloppy and dripped all over the floor.
Svetlana wiped the sloppy cement off her boots before it dried.
文法句型
sloppy + noun
be + sloppy
用法筆記
Often used for food mixtures (soup, oatmeal, batter) or building materials (cement, paint) that are too thin to hold their shape.
常見錯誤
2. used to describe soil or a sports surface that is very muddy and soft because it
used to describe soil or a sports surface that is very muddy and soft because it has absorbed a lot of water.
The horse race was cancelled because the track was too sloppy.
be + too sloppy for activity
Fatima's boots sank into the sloppy ground near the riverbank.
sloppy + ground / field / track
Players complained that the sloppy field made the match dangerous.
After three days of rain, the camping ground had become completely sloppy.
文法句型
sloppy + noun (track / ground / field)
be + sloppy
用法筆記
Most common in sports contexts (horse racing, football, golf) where ground condition affects play. Not used for general wet ground like a sidewalk after rain — that would be 'slippery'.
常見錯誤
3. done or made without enough care, attention, or effort, so that the result is un
done or made without enough care, attention, or effort, so that the result is untidy or of poor quality.
Pedro handed in a sloppy report full of spelling mistakes.
sloppy + noun describing work
The tailor said the stitching was too sloppy to sell the jacket.
too sloppy + to-infinitive
Kirsten lost points on the exam because of her sloppy handwriting.
A sloppy edit can make a good article look unprofessional.
The builder was sloppy with the measurements, so the shelves did not fit.
- careless
less messy in connotation; 'sloppy' emphasises the untidy outcome more than the attitude
- messy
overlaps but can describe physical disorder; 'sloppy work' specifically implies low quality
- untidy
focuses on lack of neatness; 'sloppy' can also mean low-effort
- slipshod
formal synonym; 'sloppy' is everyday language
文法句型
sloppy + noun (work / job / writing)
be + sloppy (about/with + noun)
用法筆記
Stronger than 'careless' — 'sloppy' adds the meaning that the result looks messy or unprofessional, not just that the person did not try hard enough.
常見錯誤
4. describes clothing that is baggy, loose-fitting, and gives an untidy or unstylis
describes clothing that is baggy, loose-fitting, and gives an untidy or unstylish appearance.
Amir wore a sloppy old sweater that hung past his knees.
sloppy + clothing item
The dress was too sloppy for the ceremony, so Olu chose a fitted suit instead.
Mei-Lin pulled on a pair of sloppy jeans and a faded T-shirt.
The school dress code banned sloppy clothing like ripped jeans and hoodies.
文法句型
sloppy + noun (clothes / sweater / jeans)
look + sloppy
feel + sloppy
用法筆記
Carries a mildly negative judgment about style. 'Baggy' or 'oversized' are more neutral alternatives. 'Comfortable' is positive — 'sloppy' is not.
常見錯誤
5. showing romantic feelings in an exaggerated, sentimental way that other people m
showing romantic feelings in an exaggerated, sentimental way that other people may find silly, awkward, or embarrassing.
Taro cringed at the sloppy love letters his younger brother had written.
sloppy + love-related noun
The movie had a sloppy ending with too much crying and slow music.
Amina rolled her eyes at the sloppy card her boyfriend gave her.
My grandmother loves sloppy romance novels with happy endings.
- sentimental
more neutral; 'sloppy' adds a sense of embarrassment or excess
- cheesy
suggests something is inauthentic or low-quality in its emotion
- mushy
very informal; describes overly tender, emotional talk or writing
- schmaltzy
more formal or literary; describes art or music that is too sentimental
- reserved
showing emotions in a controlled, restrained way
- understated
elegantly subtle in emotional expression
文法句型
sloppy + noun (love story / romance / poem)
be + sloppy (about + noun)
用法筆記
Always slightly mocking or dismissive. You would not use this word to describe your own sincere feelings. Common in reviews of movies, books, or greeting cards.