unkempt
His hair was unkempt and his clothes looked slept in.
His hair was messy and his clothes appeared worn without care.
Having an untidy or messy appearance
The garden had grown wild and unkempt over the years.
The garden had become overgrown and neglected for many years.
She scolded her son for leaving his room unkempt.
She criticized her son for not tidying up his messy room.
Often describes physical appearance (hair, clothes) or environments (gardens, spaces), but can also metaphorically describe neglected systems or ideas.
Collocations
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'unkempt'
Reserve 'unkempt' for descriptions where untidiness is a notable feature. Overuse can make your writing seem repetitive or overly critical.
Gold Rule
Use 'unkempt' for visible disorder
'Unkempt' should describe something that appears neglected or messy, not just slightly disorganized. For example, 'unkempt lawn' (overgrown) vs. 'messy desk' (cluttered).
Word Origin
From Middle English 'unkempt' (untidy), from Old English 'uncembd' (not combed), from 'un-' (not) + 'cembd' (combed, past participle of 'camban' to comb).
Usage Notes
While 'unkempt' often has a negative connotation, it can sometimes be used neutrally or even affectionately to describe a deliberately relaxed or rugged style.