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Slovenliest: meaning, definitions and examples

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slovenliest

 

[ ˈsləʊ.və.nli.əst ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

describing person

The term 'slovenliest' describes someone who is extremely unkempt or untidy. This adjective depicts a state of disorderliness, often in both personal hygiene and clothing. It conveys a sense of neglect regarding one's appearance and surroundings. It's often used in a disparaging manner to criticize someone’s lack of care.

Synonyms

disheveled, messiest, untidiest

Examples of usage

  • He looked slovenliest in his wrinkled shirt and unkempt hair.
  • Despite her talents, her slovenliest behavior was off-putting to potential employers.
  • The slovenliest room in the house was a reflection of her chaotic lifestyle.

Translations

Translations of the word "slovenliest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 slovenly

🇮🇳 स्लोवेनली

🇩🇪 schlampig

🇮🇩 acuh

🇺🇦 неохайний

🇵🇱 zaniedbany

🇯🇵 だらしない

🇫🇷 négligé

🇪🇸 desaliñado

🇹🇷 dağınık

🇰🇷 어질러진

🇸🇦 مهمل

🇨🇿 nedbalý

🇸🇰 zanedbaný

🇨🇳 邋遢

🇸🇮 neurejen

🇮🇸 óreglulegur

🇰🇿 бұзылған

🇬🇪 უხეში

🇦🇿 qarışıq

🇲🇽 desaliñado

Word origin

The word 'slovenly' has its roots in the Middle English word 'sloven', which means 'a careless or messy person', and it is thought to have derived from the Old English 'slāf', which means 'to be lazy or to rest'. Over time, it evolved to describe not only laziness but also neglect in terms of personal care and tidiness. The suffix '-liest' indicates a superlative form of the adjective, suggesting the highest degree of slovenliness. The transition from the Old English usage to the modern context reflects changing societal norms around cleanliness and personal grooming. Historically, being labeled as 'slovenly' carried social implications, often associated with poverty or moral failing, which varies across cultures.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #43,778, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.