messier; messiest
1
: marked by confusion, disorder, or dirt : untidy
a messy room
2
: lacking neatness or precision : careless, slovenly
messy thinking
3
: extremely unpleasant or trying
messy lawsuits
a messy divorce
messily adverb
messiness noun

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.
This subsequently brought her messy blond hair to the forefront, choppy bangs and all. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025 The writer’s room need not be neat, could in fact be the one space of the house where things are supposed to be messy, to show a mind at work. Katie Da Cunha Lewin september 26, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025 Those messier moments are where Larsson comes alive. Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025 Vacuuming up boxelder bugs is a less messy solution. Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for messy

Word History

First Known Use

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of messy was in 1627

Cite this Entry

“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/messy. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

messy

adjective
messier; messiest
1
: marked by confusion, disorder, or dirt : untidy
2
: extremely unpleasant or trying
messy lawsuits
messily adverb
messiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on messy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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