Definition

1. Noun:
   • A coarse, obnoxious person: A "slovenly person" is an individual who is habitually messy, dirty, or careless in appearance and habits, often to the point of being unpleasant or offensive to others.

Usage

• The term "slovenly person" is used to describe someone whose lack of care for personal cleanliness, grooming, or tidiness is a defining and negative characteristic. It implies a persistent, ingrained habit rather than a temporary state.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The new roommate turned out to be a slovenly person, leaving dirty dishes and clothes everywhere.
  • He was dismissed not for his work, but for being a slovenly person who offended clients with his appearance.

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a judgmental or critical tone. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts to strongly criticize someone's habitual untidiness.
• "a bit of a slovenly person": A slightly softened phrase, though still critical.
  • My brother is a bit of a slovenly person when he's on vacation.

Variants and Related Words

• Sloven (n): An older, synonymous term for a slovenly person.
  • He was an unrepentant sloven.
• Slovenly (adj): The adjective form describing the characteristic.
  • His slovenly habits were well known.
• Slob (n, informal): A very common, less formal synonym.
  • Don't be such a slob; clean up after yourself.

Synonyms

• Slob: A person who is lazy and has low standards of cleanliness.
• Slattern (archaic, usually for a woman): An untidy, dirty woman.
• Slouch (informal, in this context): A lazy, incompetent, or slovenly person.

Related Idioms

• "Live like a pig": To live in a very dirty or untidy way. This idiom describes the behavior of a slovenly person.
  • Since his divorce, he's started to live like a pig.

Noun

1. a coarse obnoxious person