Slovenly means messy, careless, and untidy in appearance or habits. A slovenly person might wear wrinkled, stained clothes, leave their hair uncombed, or keep their room in complete disarray, with clothes piled on the floor and trash scattered about.

The word goes beyond just being a little messy on one particular day. It describes a pattern of not caring about neatness or cleanliness. A student who consistently turns in crumpled, smudged homework with sloppy handwriting might be called slovenly in their work habits. A cook who leaves the kitchen covered in spills and dirty dishes, or who doesn't wash their hands properly, would be slovenly in their approach to food preparation.

Slovenly carries a negative judgment: it suggests that someone could do better but simply isn't making the effort. It's different from someone who's temporarily messy because they're in the middle of an art project or outdoor adventure. A slovenly person has made untidiness their normal state.

The word can describe both personal appearance and the way someone does their work. A carpenter might do slovenly work by leaving rough edges, crooked joints, and visible mistakes, showing a lack of care for quality and craftsmanship.