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 of unkempt

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

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

Helen gets defensive when those around her express concern about her behavior and her unkempt conditions. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026

Many episodes featured Stanger giving tough love to unkempt potential matches and the picky millionaires. —Emy Lacroix, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026

Beyond this, there are some serious examples of how Maryland’s unkempt voter rolls can permanently damage individuals’ careers and livelihoods. —Nicolee Ambrose, Baltimore Sun, 13 Jan. 2026

Psychosis, disorganization, unkempt, urinating inappropriately. —Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026

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