messy
messy Lexical Profile
messy Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Untidy, dirty, or lacking in physical order and neatness.
"The children left the kitchen messy after baking cookies all afternoon."
Confused, complicated, and difficult or unpleasant to deal with (especially of a situation or relationship).
"Negotiating the terms of the corporate merger proved to be a long and messy process."
Causing or likely to cause dirt, spills, or physical disorder.
"Painting the ceiling is a messy job, so remember to cover the furniture with drop cloths."
• Rhymes for messy
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the mid-19th century from the noun 'mess' plus the suffix '-y'. The root 'mess' comes via Old French 'mes' from Late Latin 'missus' (a course at a meal), which gradually evolved from meaning a serving of soft or mixed food to a state of disorder or untidiness.