disheveled
After a long day of work, his usually neat hair was disheveled.
His hair looked messy and unkempt after the long day.
untidy or disordered in appearance, especially of hair or clothing
She arrived at the meeting with a disheveled blouse and messy hair.
Her blouse was wrinkled and her hair was out of place, showing a lack of care in her appearance.
The wind left his clothes disheveled as he walked home.
His clothes were blown around by the wind, making him look untidy.
Often describes physical appearance but can metaphorically describe situations or abstract concepts (e.g., 'a disheveled plan').
Collocations
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'disheveled'
While 'disheveled' is a precise word, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Use 'messy' or 'unkempt' for a more natural tone.
Gold Rule
Use 'disheveled' for physical appearance only
Reserve 'disheveled' for describing untidy hair, clothing, or physical state. Do not use it for abstract concepts like plans or emotions.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'discheveled' (past participle of 'dischevel'), from Old French 'deschevelé' (meaning 'bareheaded' or 'with disarranged hair'), from 'des-' (prefix meaning 'apart, away') + 'chevel' (meaning 'hair'). The '-ed' suffix indicates the past participle form.
Usage Notes
Commonly used to describe physical appearance, particularly hair or clothing. Avoid using it for abstract concepts like plans or emotions unless in a metaphorical context.