slovenliness

[ sluhv-uhn-lee-nis, slov- ]

noun

1. the state or quality of being untidy or unclean in appearance or habits; the character of a slob:

   The whole place looks like a junk room, with a general sense of chaos, filth, and slovenliness.

2. a sloppy or slipshod quality, as of work, research, writing, etc.:

   We’ve come to tolerate a shocking degree of slovenliness and illogic in what passes for educated writing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of slovenliness¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; slovenly ( def ) + -ness ( def )

Example Sentences

Mere hastiness or slovenliness of work is not identical with the effect of inability to achieve mechanical neatness.

From Project Gutenberg

Books were strewn here and there, but there was no slovenliness or untidiness; and, ha!

From Project Gutenberg

The voices of the sleepy porters on the quay roused in him a craving for the gentle slovenliness of Irish speech.

From Project Gutenberg

In this method it is not always easy to distinguish economy from skill, or slovenliness from science.

From Project Gutenberg

Let him whose own enunciation is chemically free from localism or slovenliness cast the first stone even at "mebbe" and "ruther."

From Project Gutenberg