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

They don’t manage risk, hold accountability, reassure anxious clients or integrate messy context across teams.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In recent years, shoppers have complained of Target’s messy stores, items missing on shelves and less exciting products.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Sondheim, Mr. Joseph writes, used games “as a crucible for relationships to get messy and deepen.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But the two leads are constantly undone by the messy film swirling around them.

Read more on Salon

But the teamwork of the performers honors the messy yet undeniably effective cooperation of Alice and her freedom fighters — women who changed the world by not staying silent in their prescribed place.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chaotic 
• confused 
• sloppy