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Showing results for "dishevelled"
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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:

The friendly tabby was in great health, her fur was fine and she did not look "dishevelled".

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

Cabin manager co-workers later found him at the bottom of the stairs "dishevelled, pale, sweaty and erratic".

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2025

He says that John was dishevelled and confused: "He was just abandoned. He hardly went out of that room and it was in a terrible state."

From BBC ● Mar. 29, 2025

It is a stream of sequins, flags, face paint and sparkly costumes, all a little more dishevelled than they were when the evening began.

From BBC ● May 14, 2023

Wild-eyed and dishevelled, he seemed to shrink back from the light, and closed the door behind us.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

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