ENGLISH
REFERENCE

messy

adj.
A2 Elementary US //ˈmɛsi// UK //mˈɛsi// messy

adj. untidy or dirty, like a room with clothes on the floor. It can also describe a situation that is complicated and difficult to deal with.

adj. characterised by a lack of order or cleanliness; untidy. In a figurative sense, it describes situations or relationships that are confused, emotionally complicated, or difficult to resolve.


SIMPLE

My bedroom is always messy on Monday mornings.

CONTEXTUAL

The kitchen became incredibly messy after we tried to bake three different cakes at once.

COMPLEX

The legal battle turned into a messy public dispute that eventually forced the board of directors to resign under intense media scrutiny.

Synonyms
Origin

From mess + -y.

Usage

Commonly used to describe physical spaces, but also frequently applied to abstract concepts like divorces, breakups, or politics.

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