messy

word

/ˈmɛsi/
ME-see
/mˈɛsi/
ME-see

Definition

If something is messy, it is not clean or organized. It can also describe a situation that is complicated, confused, or emotionally difficult.

Usage & Nuances

Common for rooms, hair, handwriting, and food: 'a messy room', 'messy hair'. Very common in informal speech for relationships, breakups, or problems: 'It got messy'. For physical dirt, 'dirty' is often more direct; 'messy' focuses more on disorder or untidiness.

Example Sentences

My desk is messy today.

basic

The kids made the kitchen messy.

basic

His hair looks messy after soccer.

basic

The breakup was really messy, and now nobody is talking to each other.

natural

I like cooking, but I hate how messy it gets.

natural

Things could get messy if we don't make a plan soon.

natural