What Does Slovenly Mean: Uncovering the Hidden Meanings Behind this Fanciful Term We weren’t able to create a summary for you. Refresh your page to try again. The meaning of SLOVENLY is untidy especially in personal appearance. How to use slovenly in a sentence. Slovenly has meant messy or unkempt since the 1500s, but it had a brief heyday before that of meaning "low or base." This class association remains embedded in the word — someone who uses the word … slovenly, adj. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary Slovenly and careless work and quarrels over trifling matters are signs of wrong thinking. 'Slovenly' is used to describe individuals or things that are characterized by a lack of care, attention, or cleanliness in their appearance. It suggests a disregard for neatness and orderliness. Untidy, as in dress or appearance. Marked by negligence; careless or slipshod: a slovenly legal defense. See Synonyms at sloppy. Slovenly refers to a person or their appearance or habits being untidy, dirty or neglectful. It can also refer to actions or work that is performed carelessly or negligently.