messy

adjective

ˈme-sē How to pronounce messy (audio)
messier; messiest
Synonyms of messynext
1
a
: marked by confusion, disorder, or dirt : untidy
a messy room
b
: likely to create a mess
a messy task/hobby
messy paint
2
: lacking neatness or precision : careless, slovenly
messy thinking
3
: extremely unpleasant or trying
messy lawsuits
a messy divorce
messily
ˈme-sə-lē How to pronounce messy (audio)
adverb
messiness
ˈme-sē-nəs How to pronounce messy (audio)
noun

Synonyms of messy

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Examples of messy in a Sentence

Painting a room can be messy work. Some kinds of glue are messier than others. a delicious but messy sandwich
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Led by Sreeti Mukerji and shaped by the creative vision of Alia and Shaheen Bhatt, ‘Don’t Be Shy’ is a joyful, heartfelt celebration of friendship, love, and the beautifully messy journey of growing up. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026 The real story is what happens to the other 20% — the cases that are messy, emotional, or high-stakes — when the routine volume stops eating up everyone’s day. — Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Mimosas are another invasive tree that can be messy and spread easily. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026 There’s messy play, yoga, and cooking for the little ones, go-karting, football, and water sports for the older ones. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for messy

Word History

First Known Use

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of messy was in 1627

Rhymes for messy

See All Rhymes for messy

Browse Nearby Words

mess with someone's mind/head
messy
Mesta
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/messy. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

messy

adjective
ˈmes-ē How to pronounce messy (audio)
messier; messiest
1
: marked by confusion, disorder, or dirt : untidy
2
: extremely unpleasant or trying
messy lawsuits
messily
ˈmes-ə-lē How to pronounce messy (audio)
adverb
messiness
ˈmes-ē-nəs How to pronounce messy (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on messy

Nglish: Translation of messy for Spanish Speakers

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