What does slob mean?
A slob is, most commonly, an insulting name for someone regarded as uncouth, clumsy, lazy, or generally objectionable. The term is informal and often deliberately derogatory, so it can be much harsher than a neutral description such as “an untidy person.” In another, less frequent sense, a slob is a soft, shapeless lump of a wet or sticky substance. As a verb, slob means to smear, spread, or dribble such a substance, usually in a messy or careless way. Although it sometimes appears in comic or exaggerated descriptions, its everyday use is not necessarily humorous: calling someone a slob can express strong contempt. The word is best reserved for clearly informal contexts, and care should be taken because it can bruise an audience’s feelings as readily as it labels the person concerned.
An uncouth, clumsy, lazy, or otherwise objectionable person; also, a soft shapeless lump of a wet or sticky substance.
"That slob has left his tools all over the workshop."
The personal sense is informal and insulting. The sense meaning a lump is much less common.
To smear, spread, or dribble a wet or viscous substance, especially carelessly.
"He slobbed paint over the floorboards."
Informal and usually implies a messy or careless manner.
The plural is used when referring to more than one uncouth or objectionable person, or to several lumps of a wet substance.
"The neighbors were annoyed by the slobs who kept playing loud music after midnight."
Calling someone a slob is blunt enough to be unmistakable—and rude enough to make the speaker, not the target, memorable.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does slob come from?
The origin of the word is uncertain. The familiar insulting sense of slob appears in modern English, while slobber is an older and closely related word meaning to smear or dribble wet or sticky material; slobbish, meaning uncouth or slovenly, was developed from the same general family of forms.
Related word forms
How slob is actually used
The word is informal and can be insulting when used for a person. It may also be crude or physically comic when referring to smearing food or liquid.
Easily confused with slob
A slab is a broad, flat, usually solid piece of a material, whereas a slob is primarily an insulting term for an uncouth person or, secondarily, a soft lump of something.
To slobber is to smear or dribble food or liquid, while a slob is generally a person or a lump of something.