Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for "dishevelled"
Search instead for disbowelled.
Synonyms

dishevelled

British  
/ dɪˈʃɛvəld /

adjective

  1. (esp of hair) hanging loosely

  2. (of general appearance) unkempt; untidy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of dishevelled

C15 dischevelee, from Old French deschevelé, from des- dis- 1 + chevel hair, from Latin capillus

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

But Mr Bennett told BBC Radio Kent that British officials saw his father was "dishevelled and had lost a lot of weight", while his mother was not walking well due to prison conditions.

From BBC Aug. 5, 2025

He said that visits by British officials had found his dad was "dishevelled and had lost a lot of weight", while his mum was not walking very well due to prison conditions.

From BBC Aug. 4, 2025

On one occasion, he started crying in front of a manager who told him off for his dishevelled appearance.

From BBC Aug. 22, 2022

Her blue eyes still retained their melting quality; and her yellow hair, dishevelled by the wind and rain, kinked more stubbornly than ever about her ears and temples.

From Textbooks Dec. 21, 2021

Bag End seemed sad and gloomy and dishevelled.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training