sleazy

[ slee-zee, sley-zee ]

adjective

, slea·zi·er, slea·zi·est.

1. contemptibly low, mean, or disreputable:

   sleazy politics.

2. squalid; sordid; filthy; dilapidated:

   a sleazy hotel.

3. thin or poor in texture, as a fabric; cheap; flimsy:

   a sleazy dress;

   a sleazy excuse.

sleazy

/ ˈsliːzɪ /

adjective

1. sordid; disreputable

   a sleazy nightclub

2. thin or flimsy, as cloth

Derived Forms

• ˈsleazily, adverb
• ˈsleaziness, noun

Other Words From

• sleazi·ly adverb
• sleazi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sleazy¹

First recorded in 1635–45 sleazy fordef 3; of obscure origin; probably unrelated to Silesia; first recorded in 1941 sleazy fordefs 1, 2; perhaps a distinct word

Word History and Origins

Origin of sleazy¹

C17: origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Lenz described how she cast him in an episode of “One Tree Hill” that she was directing, giving him the role of Josh Avery, a sleazy movie star that Teal readily embodied because of his “self-effacing sense of humor and willingness to dive fully into any character.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Linda is this well-spoken, congenial, bright, well-dressed woman executive, but she helped run a testosterone-fueled business that was seen as very sleazy for a long time,” pro-wrestling expert Dave Letzer told The Washington Post.

From Salon

My style was more sleazy vintage: crazy ’80s lace, red leather, studded pieces that were really influenced by all the metal I was listening to.

From Los Angeles Times

Then, I’m looking at the guy next to me who is the quintessential sleazy, greasy guy smoking a cigarette, eating his chicken, with the sunglasses on inside and the greasy mustache.

From Los Angeles Times

“If it’s a carve-out, it’s pretty sleazy,” he said about Assembly Bill 3206.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• seedy
• sordid
• tacky
• trashy