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

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

“I was making good money booking roles as the terrorist, the cab driver, the sleazy guy. I called my agent and said, “Can I audition for the friend, the doctor, the lawyer, the cop?’”

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, he continued to turn in scene-stealing film performances, often with a touch of that signature "handsome, vain, sleazy" panache.

From Salon

At heart, Fargeat is a remix artist who’s constructed the movie like a medley of her own DVDs of “The Fly” and “Sunset Blvd.” and sleazy music videos from the early aughts.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• seedy
• sordid
• tacky
• trashy