selekeh
A Singlish word used in Singapore to describe someone who is scruffy, slovenly, or poorly put-together — the person who rolls up to an event looking like they dressed in the dark or slept in their clothes.
Definitions
A Singlish word used in Singapore to describe someone who is scruffy, slovenly, or poorly put-together — the person who rolls up to an event looking like they dressed in the dark or slept in their clothes. Selekeh can apply to appearance, hygiene, or general presentation. It carries gentle mockery rather than harsh judgment, the kind of word a friend uses while straightening your collar before you walk through the door. Borrowed into Singlish from Malay.
Aiyah, why you look so selekeh lah — at least tuck in your shirt before we go in.
Comments
(Singapore, Singlish) , unkempt.
"selekeh" means: , unkempt.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
"selekeh" means: , unkempt.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.
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- seh68%
(Singapore, Singlish) Drunk or inebriated, or appearing so; tipsy.
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(Singlish, by extension, never ) or dishevelled.
- singkek67%
(slang, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore) A laborer who has recently arrived from China.
- lembek66%
In Singaporean and Malaysian slang, lembek means soft, weak, or spineless — basically calling someone a wimp or a sissy. It's borrowed from Malay, where it literally means soft or mushy in texture, but in everyday usage it's aimed at someone who lacks backbone, gives up too easily, or can't handle pressure. Coaches, teammates, and parents might throw it out as a motivational jab. It can sting depending on tone, but in casual banter it's often just competitive trash talk.