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Definition of unkempt

unkempt

/ʌnˈkɛmpt/
un · kempt
Adverb:unkemptly
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unkempt Lexical Profile

unkempt Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Having an untidy, disheveled, or neglected appearance, especially regarding hair, clothing, or personal grooming.

Example

"After spending three days hiking through the wilderness, the travelers arrived at the lodge looking exhausted and unkempt."

2

Not properly maintained, cared for, or kept in order (especially of a garden, lawn, or physical space).

Example

"The abandoned cottage was surrounded by an unkempt yard choked with tall weeds and overgrown shrubs."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for unkempt

• Nearby Words

unjustified
unjustly
unjustness
unkempt
unkemptly
unkept
unkillable

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English unkempt, literally meaning 'uncombed,' formed from the prefix un- and kempt, the archaic past participle of kemb (an older variant of the verb 'comb,' from Old English cemban).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Unkempt. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/unkempt
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