Slattern: meaning, definitions and examples

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slattern

 

[ ˈslætərn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

derogatory

A dirty, untidy woman.

Synonyms

messy person, slob, sloven.

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Word Description / Examples
slattern

Used to describe a woman who is very untidy and careless in her appearance and housekeeping, often in a way that suggests moral laxness. This term can carry a negative and disparaging connotation.

  • She was seen as a slattern because her house was always cluttered and she never bothered to dress properly.
slob

Refers to someone who is lazy and extremely untidy, often in both their personal habits and living spaces. It has a strong negative connotation.

  • He's a real slob; he leaves food wrappers and dirty clothes all over the house.
messy person

A general term for someone who is untidy or disorganized. It lacks the strong negative connotations of other words in this group.

  • He's such a messy person; his room is always chaotic and cluttered.
sloven

Refers to someone, regardless of gender, who is habitually untidy or careless in their appearance or habits. This word is also negative but more gender-neutral compared to 'slattern'.

  • He may be brilliant, but he's such a sloven; his office is a complete mess.

Examples of usage

  • She was a slattern who never cleaned up after herself.
  • The slattern left dirty dishes all over the house.
  • The slattern's appearance was disheveled and unkempt.
  • The slattern's unkempt hair and dirty clothes were a sight to behold.
  • The slattern's room was a mess of dirty laundry and scattered belongings.
Context #2 | Noun

archaic

A woman who is careless and negligent in her personal habits.

Synonyms

careless woman, slovenly woman, untidy woman.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
slattern

This term is rarely used in modern language and can sound old-fashioned. It has a very negative connotation and is typically used to describe a woman who is consistently dirty and untidy.

  • Her neighbors referred to her as a slattern because of the state of her house.
untidy woman

This is a straightforward description of someone who is not neat and organized. It’s less harsh compared to 'slattern' or 'slovenly woman' and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

  • Despite being creative and talented, she is known as an untidy woman because of her chaotic workspace.
slovenly woman

This term describes someone who is habitually messy and untidy. It has a negative connotation and is often used to criticize someone's appearance or hygiene.

  • Her colleagues started to avoid her due to her slovenly habits and appearance.
careless woman

This phrase is used to describe someone who shows a lack of care or attention in various aspects of life, not necessarily in their appearance or cleanliness. It’s less about being untidy and more about being inattentive or irresponsible.

  • She is known as a careless woman because she frequently forgets important appointments.

Examples of usage

  • The slattern's lack of personal hygiene was evident to all who knew her.
  • Back in the 18th century, a slattern was considered a disgrace to her family.

Translations

Translations of the word "slattern" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desleixada

🇮🇳 अस्वच्छ और गंदी महिला

🇩🇪 Schlampe

🇮🇩 pemalas

🇺🇦 неохайна жінка

🇵🇱 niechlujna kobieta

🇯🇵 だらしない女 (darashinai onna)

🇫🇷 femme négligée

🇪🇸 mujer descuidada

🇹🇷 pasaklı kadın

🇰🇷 지저분한 여자 (jijeobunhan yeoja)

🇸🇦 امرأة مهملة

🇨🇿 nepořádná žena

🇸🇰 neporiadna žena

🇨🇳 邋遢的女人 (lātà de nǚrén)

🇸🇮 nemarna ženska

🇮🇸 óreiðukona

🇰🇿 ұқыпсыз әйел

🇬🇪 ზარმაცი ქალი

🇦🇿 düzgünsüz qadın

🇲🇽 mujer descuidada

Etymology

The word 'slattern' originated in the late 16th century and is derived from the Middle English word 'slater', meaning a woman of loose character. Over time, the meaning shifted to refer to a woman who is dirty, untidy, and careless in her personal habits. The term was often used in a derogatory manner to criticize women for their appearance and behavior.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,988, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.