untidy
Americanadjective
-
not tidy or neat; slovenly; disordered.
an untidy room; an untidy person.
-
not well-organized or carried out.
an untidy plan.
verb (used with object)
adjective
verb
Other Word Forms
- untidily adverb
- untidiness noun
Etymology
Origin of untidy
Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; see origin at un- 1, tidy
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.
"It's basically about the satisfaction of starting with something untidy, learning the skills to bring order to the scene, then looking back at a job well done," he said.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
"It's going to look a bit untidy on the way through," she said in early November.
From BBC • Nov. 20, 2025
The assessments from his former masters at Lancaster Road Junior School and Euston Road Senior School in Morecambe included criticism of the late entertainer's attendance and "poor and untidy written work".
From BBC • Dec. 28, 2024
But to Berkowitz the untidy appearance hasn’t diminished what he sees as quality care he’s provided to his ducks.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2024
The packets leaned against each other at angles and lay in untidy stacks.
From "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
