sloppy

/ˈslɒpi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈslɑːpi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈslä-pē/ (ame, mw)

sloppy — adjective

  • sloppypositive
  • sloppiercomparative
  • sloppiestsuperlative

1. showing too little care or effort, so the result looks untidy or contains obviou

1.形容詞B2
釋義

showing too little care or effort, so the result looks untidy or contains obvious mistakes

例句

Hamza turned in a sloppy lab report with three dates missing.

collocation: sloppy report for careless written work

The mechanic made a sloppy repair, and the pipe leaked again.

sloppy + repair for work done without enough care

同義詞
  • careless

    the nearest general synonym; less focused on messy-looking results

  • messy

    emphasizes untidiness more than mistakes or weak effort

  • negligent

    more formal and often used when someone failed in a duty

反義詞
  • careful

    the direct opposite

  • thorough

    emphasizes complete and attentive work

  • neat

    focuses on an orderly, well-presented result

文法句型

sloppy + noun

be sloppy with + noun

be sloppy about + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Often used for work, writing, planning, or behavior that should have been done more carefully. 'Sloppy with' names the thing someone handles badly, while 'sloppy about' names the area where care is missing.

常見錯誤

❌I'm sloppy in details.
✅I'm sloppy about details.
💡Use 'about' for the area where you are not careful.
❌She was sloppy for the customer list.
✅She was sloppy with the customer list.
💡Use 'with' for the thing that was handled carelessly.

2. so wet, runny, or spread around that it creates a dirty and unpleasant mess

2.形容詞B2
釋義

so wet, runny, or spread around that it creates a dirty and unpleasant mess

例句

Eitan's sandwich was so sloppy that sauce dripped onto his shirt.

so sloppy that + result clause

The toddler's oatmeal was sloppy and spilled over the tray.

be sloppy for wet food that will not stay in place

同義詞
  • messy

    broader; can describe any dirty or untidy result, not just wet material

  • runny

    focuses on liquid thickness rather than the messy spread

  • smeared

    describes something spread over a surface, especially paint or sauce

反義詞
  • firm

    used when food or a mixture holds its shape

  • dry

    not wet or runny

  • tidy

    kept from spreading around in a messy way

文法句型

sloppy + noun

be / look + sloppy

so sloppy that + clause

用法筆記

This sense is used for food, paint, mud, or other wet material that spreads around and is hard to keep tidy. Use sense 4 for outdoor surfaces such as tracks or fields that are wet and soft underfoot.

常見錯誤

❌The floor is sloppy because I forgot to sweep it.
✅The floor is messy/dirty.
💡This sense needs wet or smeared material, not ordinary untidiness.
❌The road was sloppy with rainwater on the map.
✅The road was sloppy after the rain.
💡Use this sense for the real wet condition, not for a picture or drawing.

3. hanging loosely on the body and looking untidy because it is too big or has lost

3.形容詞B2
釋義

hanging loosely on the body and looking untidy because it is too big or has lost its shape

例句

Hoa wore a sloppy sweatshirt that kept sliding off one shoulder.

sloppy + clothing noun

The actor changed out of his sloppy costume before the interview.

同義詞
  • baggy

    the closest synonym, especially for clothes that are too large

  • loose

    more neutral and not necessarily untidy

  • shapeless

    emphasizes a lack of clear form rather than size

反義詞
  • fitted

    cut close to the body in a controlled way

  • tailored

    made to fit neatly and with shape

  • neat

    well-arranged and tidy in appearance

文法句型

sloppy + clothing noun

look / hang + sloppy

用法筆記

Usually describes clothes that hang badly because they are too large, stretched, or shapeless. It is more negative than 'loose' or 'oversized' because it suggests an untidy look rather than a deliberate fashion choice.

常見錯誤

❌These jeans are sloppy because they feel comfortable.
✅These jeans are loose/baggy.
💡'Sloppy' adds the idea that they look untidy, not just relaxed.
❌Her hairstyle is sloppy because it is short.
✅Her hairstyle is sloppy because strands are falling out of place.
💡The sense is about a loose, unneat appearance, not size alone.

4. of soil, a road, or a racing track, soaked and soft enough to break apart under

4.形容詞C1
釋義

of soil, a road, or a racing track, soaked and soft enough to break apart under feet or wheels

例句

By noon, the football field was sloppy and hard to run on.

be sloppy for wet ground conditions

The horses slowed down on the sloppy track after the second storm.

collocation: sloppy track

同義詞
  • muddy

    the nearest everyday synonym, especially when visible mud is present

  • boggy

    suggests ground that is even wetter and more swamp-like

  • soft

    more general; does not always imply too much water

反義詞
  • dry

    not wet on the surface

  • firm

    solid enough to support running or driving

  • hard

    not soft or broken up by water

文法句型

sloppy + ground noun

be / turn + sloppy

用法筆記

Mainly used for outdoor surfaces such as tracks, roads, and playing fields. Unlike sense 2, the focus is not on a wet substance spreading around but on the ground becoming soft and difficult to move across.

常見錯誤

❌The weather is sloppy today.
✅The field is sloppy after the rain.
💡This sense describes the condition of the ground, not the weather itself.
❌My shoes are sloppy after the walk.
✅My shoes are muddy after the walk.
💡'Sloppy' here belongs to the surface you walked on, not usually to the shoes.

5. using overly sweet romantic language or emotion that feels embarrassing instead

5.形容詞C1
釋義

using overly sweet romantic language or emotion that feels embarrassing instead of genuine

例句

The card sounded sloppy, so Heloísa wrote a simpler message.

sound sloppy when affection feels overdone

Tendai laughed at the movie's sloppy declaration of love in the rain.

sloppy + declaration of love for embarrassing romance

同義詞
  • gushy

    informal and strongly suggests too much emotional display

  • sentimental

    broader and not always critical; it can be neutral or positive

  • cheesy

    focuses on something being cheap, obvious, or embarrassing

反義詞
  • restrained

    controlled and not over-emotional

  • sincere

    honest in feeling without sounding excessive

  • understated

    expressed in a simple and controlled way

文法句型

sloppy + romantic noun

sound / become + sloppy

用法筆記

This sense is informal and critical. It is common with love letters, songs, speeches, or messages that push emotion too hard. Warm affection can be sincere without being sloppy; this word suggests the feeling has become silly or awkward.

常見錯誤

❌Their marriage is sloppy.
✅Their anniversary post was sloppy.
💡This sense judges the way feelings are expressed, not the relationship itself.
❌She is sloppy because she loves him a lot.
✅Her speech sounded sloppy because every line was over-sweet.
💡The problem is exaggerated expression, not love by itself.