mess

²mess

verb

Definition of MESS

transitive verb

1

: to provide with meals at a mess

2

a : to make dirty or untidy : disarrange —often used with up <don't mess up your room> b : to mix up : bungle —often used with up <really messed up my life>

3

: to interfere with —often used with up <magnetic storms that mess up communications — Time>

4

: to rough up : manhandle —often used with up <mess him up good so he won't cheat us again>

intransitive verb

1

: to take meals with a mess

2

: to make a mess

3

a : putter, trifle <children like to mess around with paints> b : to handle or play with something especially carelessly <don't mess with my camera> —often used with around c : to take an active interest in something or someone <messing around with new video techniques>; also : interfere, meddle <messing in other people's affairs> <you'd better not mess with me>

4

: to become confused or make an error —usually used with up

Examples of MESS

1. <please don't mess with me while I'm trying to concentrate>

First Known Use of MESS

14th century

Related to MESS

Synonyms: butt in, interlope, intermeddle, intrude, meddle, interfere, muck (about or around), nose, obtrude, poke, pry, snoop

Related Words: intercede, interpose, intervene; barge (in), chisel (in), encroach, infringe, invade, trespass; fiddle, fool, monkey, play, tamper

Near Antonyms: avoid, eschew, shun; disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook

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