Doesn't have to sound sloppy (5)
I believe the answer is:
lacks
'doesn't have' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'sound sloppy' is the wordplay.
'sound' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'sloppy' becomes 'lax' (both can careless).
'lax' sounds like 'LACKS'.
'to' is the link.
(Other definitions for lacks that I've seen before include "Wants, is deficient in" , "Needs" , "Is without, wants" , "Doesn't have" , "Has a want" .)