sleazy

1 of 2

adjective

slea·​zy ˈslē-zē 

also ˈslā-

sleazier; sleaziest

1

a

: lacking firmness of texture : flimsy

b

: carelessly made of inferior materials : shoddy

2

a

: marked by low character or quality

sleazy tabloids

b

: squalid, dilapidated

sleazy bars

sleazily

ˈslē-zə-lē 

also ˈslā-

adverb

sleaziness

ˈslē-zē-nəs 

also ˈslā-

noun

sleaziness

2 of 2

noun

slea·​zi·​ness -zēnə̇s 

-zin-

plural -es

: the state or quality of being sleazy

Synonyms of sleazy

Adjective

• corrupt
• perverted
• skanky
• slutty

Examples of sleazy in a Sentence

Adjective

a dancer in a sleazy outfit

a sleazy lothario who is always on the make

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

His current employer is Damien Cantor, an authentically sleazy and slippery character who operates under no discernible code beyond indulging a dumb, preening narcissism. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026

The alien spends much of the runtime going by the alias of John Carpenter (Jesus's profession, same initials), and is ultimately betrayed by someone close to him, Helen's sleazy boyfriend Tom (Hugh Marlowe), fulfilling Judas's role in the story. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026

The volunteer panel acted as a neutral arbiter of sleazy attacks and other unsavory campaign tactics. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2026

Chrome’s trashy, thrashy playing wedded the urgency of punk with devotion to older, sleazy rock ’n’ roll. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

origin unknown

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for sleazy

• breezy
• cheesy
• easy
• queasy
• wheezy
• marchese
• speakeasy
• uneasy

Kids Definition

sleazy

adjective

slea·​zy ˈslē-zē 

also ˈslā-

sleazier; sleaziest

1

: not firm in texture : flimsy

2

: made carelessly of poor material : shoddy

sleazily

-zə-lē 

adverb

sleaziness

-zē-nəs 

noun