What does slipshod mean?
Word: Slipshod
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Slipshod means done in a hasty, untidy way, with little attention to detail.
How do you spell slipshod?
Syllables: slip - shod
Tricky part: The p after the short i stays single, even though pupils feel it ought to be doubled.
Watch out for: slippshod, slipshodd, slipshot
Memory tip: Careless work takes no extra trouble, so this word does not bother with a second p.
Slipshod in a sentence
Example 1: The editor sent back the article because of its slipshod research.
Example 2: The tailor's slipshod hem left one side of the shirt longer than the other.
Example 3: Mr Rao will not accept slipshod homework, however neat the cover looks.
Fun Fact
It first described a person wearing loose, worn-down shoes. Later the idea of an untidy look passed to untidy work.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Only one of these compound words is misspelt. Choose it:
a) slipshood
b) overwrought
c) bystander
d) wholesale
Show answer
a) slipshood. The second half of this compound has a single o; the other three are fine.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
sl_ps_od
a) i, c
b) i, h
c) y, h
d) e, h
Show answer
b) i, h. The opening vowel is the short sound in lip, and the second part starts with the sound in shoe.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
Do not hand in dsoshilp work and expect a good mark from Mrs Thomas.
a) shoddy
b) slippery
c) slipshod
d) slapdash
Show answer
c) slipshod. The jumble has an i and an o and just one d, so one choice fits.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word slipshod as used in the sentence:
The new caretaker's slipshod repairs began to come apart within a week.
a) negligent
b) sloppy
c) meticulous
d) lax
Show answer
c) meticulous. The repairs were poorly done, so the opposite is work done with great care.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A shopkeeper's accounts are called slipshod. What would a checker find in them?
a) wrong totals and missing entries
b) an old ledger with a leather cover
c) a long list of regular customers
d) neat columns that match the bills
Show answer
a) wrong totals and missing entries
2. Which workman would earn this word from a customer?
a) a painter who brings his own ladder
b) a painter who covers the furniture
c) a painter who leaves drips on the floor
d) a painter who finishes a day early
Show answer
c) a painter who leaves drips on the floor
