unkempt

adjective

un·​kempt ˌən-ˈkem(p)t 

1

: not combed

unkempt hair

2

: deficient in order or neatness

unkempt individuals

unkempt hotel rooms

also : rough, unpolished

unkempt prose

Synonyms

• messy
• chaotic
• littered
• filthy
• confused
• cluttered
• sloppy
• disheveled
• jumbled
• shaggy

Examples of unkempt in a Sentence

She wore rumpled clothing and her hair was unkempt.

an unkempt and cluttered room

Recent Examples on the Web

Fanning, for whom this film is certainly a showcase, plays Polly, who’s revealed to be a physical and emotional mess in the opening scenes, in which she’s shown anxiously puttering around her large, unkempt house, chain-smoking and trying on dresses for an upcoming important interview. —Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025

As the friend mentioned the dirty, unkempt sidewalks, trash in the street and the overgrown trees, Bidegain decided something needed to be done. —Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Oct. 2025

To Washington, a beard made a man look unkempt and slovenly, masking the higher emotions that civility required. —Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025

The fit is snug and flattering, so there’s nothing unkempt about it, even though the vibe is casual. —Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English unkemd, unkempt, from un- + kembed, kempt, past participle of kemben to comb, from Old English cemban; akin to Old High German chempen to comb, Old English camb comb — more at comb

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unkempt

• attempt
• contempt
• exempt
• preempt
• empt
• tempt
• nonexempt

Kids Definition

unkempt

adjective

un·​kempt ˌən-ˈkem(p)t 

1

: not combed

2

: lacking in order or neatness : untidy