messy
adj.-
1 untidy or dirty (adj.) A2 Elementaryuntidy, dirty, or not organized.
characterised by a lack of order or cleanliness; physically cluttered or disorganized.
ExampleHis bedroom was so messy that he couldn't find his shoes on the floor.
ExampleThe artist's studio was famously messy, with half-finished canvases and open paint jars scattered across every available surface.
- untidy
- cluttered
- disorganized
-
2 causing a mess (adj.) B1 Intermediatedescribing an activity or person that creates a lot of dirt or untidiness.
prone to creating disorder or leaving a trail of refuse; describing an activity that inherently produces waste or dirt.
ExampleEating spaghetti can be very messy if you aren't careful with the sauce.
ExampleThe renovation proved to be a messy process, as plaster dust managed to seep through the protective plastic sheets into the rest of the house.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
-
3 complicated or unpleasant (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatedifficult to deal with because it is complicated or involves strong emotions.
complex, unpleasant, or difficult to resolve, often due to emotional or legal complications.
ExampleThe couple had a messy divorce that took years to finalize.
ExampleThe negotiations became messy when both parties realized that the original contract contained several contradictory clauses regarding intellectual property.
-
4 dramatic or gossipy (adj.) C1 Advanced Informal Slangdescribing someone who likes to start drama or share secrets about other people.
characterised by a tendency to provoke social conflict, spread gossip, or engage in unnecessary drama.
ExampleI don't want to be messy, but did you hear why they actually broke up?
ExampleShe was known for being messy in the office, constantly whispering about her colleagues' private lives to anyone who would listen.
From mess + -y.