messy

adjective

ˈme-sē 

messier; messiest

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 

adverb

messiness

ˈme-sē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of messy

• chaotic
• sloppy
• cluttered
• confused
• littered
• jumbled
• filthy

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

For plane travel, messy snacks are not a great idea. —Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 21 Dec. 2025

That’s a complicated, messy transition that makes for a much more interesting story. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025

The new kids driving recklessly down a winding road are rich, messy, and mostly unlikable, but not irredeemable, and the kills arrive with keen perspective and brutal efficiency complimentary of their layers. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2025

Star teased in an interview with Decider that things could get messy. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for messy

• bessy
• cressy
• dressy
• jesse

Kids Definition

messy

adjective

ˈmes-ē 

messier; messiest

1

: marked by confusion, disorder, or dirt : untidy

2

: extremely unpleasant or trying

messy lawsuits

messily

ˈmes-ə-lē 

adverb

messiness

ˈmes-ē-nəs 

noun