Sloppy condition (4)
I believe the answer is:
mess
'sloppy condition' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for mess that I've seen before include "sloppy > food" , "Eating place" , "stew or > jam" , "State of confusion or untidiness" , "An officer's untidy dining room" .)