sleazy

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

Synonyms

• skanky [slang]
• sluttish
• slutty
• trampy

Examples of sleazy in a Sentence

a dancer in a sleazy outfit

a sleazy lothario who is always on the make

Recent Examples on the Web

Timothée Chalamet, one of the finest young actors of our time, could bring something interesting to the sleazy backup dancer who won Britney’s heart. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2025

Julia Roberts says Richard Gere's Pretty Woman character is dead now 03 of 09 Jason Alexander (Philip Stuckey) Jason Alexander tries to drive a wedge between Edward and Vivian as sleazy lawyer Philip Stuckey. —Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025

The sleazy criminal has an inside man in Ted’s office. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025

But because this enterprise has been spearheaded by a sleazy politician with an almost messianic hold on his fans, Mark Ruffalo’s Kenneth Marshall, too many aspiring space cadets have signed up. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

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