Unkempt | Definition of unkempt by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of UNKEMPT

1

: not combed <unkempt hair>

2

: deficient in order or neatness <unkempt individuals> <unkempt hotel rooms>; also : rough, unpolished <unkempt prose>

See unkempt defined for English-language learners

See unkempt defined for kids

Origin of UNKEMPT

Middle English unkemd, unkempt, from un- + kembed, kempt, past participle of kemben to comb, from Old English cemban; akin to Old High German chempen to comb, Old English camb comb — more at comb

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to UNKEMPT

Synonyms: chaotic, cluttered, confused, disarranged, disarrayed, disheveled (or dishevelled), disordered, disorderly, higgledy-piggledy, hugger-mugger, jumbled, littered, messed, muddled, mussed, mussy, pell-mell, rumpled, sloppy, topsy-turvy, tousled, tumbled, messy, untidy, upside-down

Antonyms: bandbox, crisp, kempt, neat, neatened, ordered, orderly, organized, shipshape, snug, tidied, tidy, trim, uncluttered, well-ordered

Rhymes with UNKEMPT

attempt, exempt

Definition of UNKEMPT for Kids

1

: not combed <unkempt hair>

2

: not neat and orderly : untidy <an unkempt room>

Learn More About UNKEMPT

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "unkempt"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "unkempt"

Nglish: Translation of "unkempt" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "unkempt" for Arabic speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: unkemptlyPrevious Word in the Dictionary: unkeeledAll Words Near: unkempt

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up unkempt? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site