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untidy
/ʌnˈtaɪdi/
messy or disordered
His desk was untidy with papers scattered everywhere.
The desk looks messy because papers are spread out randomly.
informal
Not neat or organized; messy.
She left the room untidy after her party.
The room was left in a messy state after the party.
The untidy garden needed weeding and trimming.
The overgrown garden was full of weeds and unkempt plants.
Commonly describes physical spaces like rooms, desks, or gardens, but can also refer to habits or personal appearance.
Collocations
untidy rooma room that is not tidy or cleanuntidy deska desk with papers and items in disarrayuntidy appearancelooking disheveled or unkempt
Pro Tip
Avoiding 'untidy' in formal writing
In formal contexts, prefer 'disorganized' or 'cluttered' for precision. 'Untidy' is more casual and may sound informal in professional settings.
Gold Rule
When to use 'untidy'
Use 'untidy' to describe physical messiness or lack of organization in spaces, habits, or appearances. It implies a lack of care or attention to order.
Word Origin
From Old English 'untīdige' (disorderly), combining the prefix 'un-' (not) with 'tīdige' (tidy, from 'tīd' meaning time or season, implying proper arrangement). The word has been in use since the 14th century.
Usage Notes
Used to describe physical spaces or personal habits. Less commonly, it can describe abstract concepts like 'untidy thoughts' (disorganized thinking).
Word Breakdown
un-
not
prefixtidy
neat or orderly
rootEnglish Dictionary