disheveled
adjective
di·shev·eled
di-ˈshev-əld 
variants
or dishevelled
: marked by disorder or disarray
disheveled hair
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Disheveled comes from Middle English discheveled, meaning "bareheaded" or "with disordered hair." That word is partially based on Anglo-French deschevelé, a combination of the prefix des- ("dis-") and chevoil ("hair"). In English, disheveled describes things other than hair that have a messy or untidy appearance.
Examples of disheveled in a Sentence
His wrinkled suit gave him a disheveled appearance.
They looked dirty and disheveled.
Recent Examples on the Web
The remaining disheveled flowers aren’t as attractive as the seed heads on a poppy, for example.
—
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2025
Indeed, the Democratic Party has become a ramshackle, disheveled party and has given a new meaning to spontaneous combustion.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
Moore will star alongside him as Lt. Columbo, a disheveled and seemingly bumbling detective who’s investigating the crime.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
This, coupled with paparazzi photos over the past few months where Bieber appeared somewhat disheveled, spurred rumors about drug use that his camp quickly shut down.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disheveled
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Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2025
Indeed, the Democratic Party has become a ramshackle, disheveled party and has given a new meaning to spontaneous combustion.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
Moore will star alongside him as Lt. Columbo, a disheveled and seemingly bumbling detective who’s investigating the crime.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
This, coupled with paparazzi photos over the past few months where Bieber appeared somewhat disheveled, spurred rumors about drug use that his camp quickly shut down.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disheveled
Cite this Entry
“Disheveled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disheveled. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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