messy

[mes-ee]

adjective

messier, messiest 

1. characterized by a dirty, untidy, or disordered condition.

   a messy room.

2. causing a mess.

   a messy recipe; messy work.

3. embarrassing, difficult, or unpleasant.

   a messy political situation.

4. characterized by moral or psychological confusion.

messy

/ ˈmɛsɪ /

adjective

1. dirty, confused, or untidy

Other Word Forms

• messiness noun
• messily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of messy¹

First recorded in 1835–45; mess + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Has your home become messy without you even realising?

From BBC

Real performances carry with them a beautiful imperfection, and it is within this often messy mortality that they feel truly alive.

From Los Angeles Times

The pop superstar follows up last year’s messy ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ with a tidy collaboration with Max Martin and Shellback.

From Los Angeles Times

Each bite was a messy, sweet-savory symphony — comfort food with a little theatrical flair.

From Salon

On previous tours, I've often felt her ambition was let down by self-indulgence or messy execution.

From BBC

Related Words

• chaotic 
• confused 
• sloppy