unkempt

[uhn-kempt]

adjective

1. not combed.

   unkempt hair.

2. uncared-for or neglected; disheveled; messy.

   unkempt clothes; an unkempt lawn.

3. unpolished; rough; crude.

unkempt

/ ʌnˈkɛmpt /

adjective

1. (of the hair) uncombed; dishevelled

2. ungroomed; slovenly

   unkempt appearance

3. archaic,  crude or coarse

Other Word Forms

• unkemptly adverb
• unkemptness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unkempt¹

1590–1600; variant of unkembed; un- ¹, kempt

Word History and Origins

Origin of unkempt¹

Old English uncembed; from _un- ¹ + cembed, past participle of cemban to _comb ; related to Old Saxon kembian, Old High German kemben to comb

Example Sentences

“I know I am rather unkempt at present. But never fear, I shall be sure to bathe and change before giving my speech.”

Read more on Literature

It reminded her of the not-so-distant afternoon when she had first discovered the three siblings locked in the barn at Ashton Place, unkempt, unschooled, and untamed—truly, so much had changed since that day!

Read more on Literature

It’s easy to imagine Hollywood one day making an apocalyptic film that features the abandoned landscape with only these museum relics still standing — and “Split-Rocker” erupting in explosive, unkempt flowers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At the time of the police's first visit, in early November 2024, he was living in an annexe of his parents' property, and was described as looking "unkempt".

Read more on BBC

It’s not that the right of way under the power lines now is unkempt.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bedraggled 
• dilapidated 
• disheveled 
• grubby 
• grungy 
• messy 
• neglected www.thesaurus.com
• rumpled www.thesaurus.com
• scruffy 
• shaggy