unkempt

adjective

un·​kempt ˌən-ˈkem(p)t How to pronounce unkempt (audio)
1
: not combed
unkempt hair
2
: deficient in order or neatness
unkempt individuals
unkempt hotel rooms
also : rough, unpolished
unkempt prose

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 But, as in these United States, the key question remains whether creeping totalitarianism — from the left and the right — will squeeze everyday people out of their inalienable right to just be their sometimes obnoxious, unkempt, idiosyncratic selves. Ed Wallace, New York Daily News, 6 June 2024 Weeds can take over in a hurry, choking out lawns and gardens and making landscapes look unkempt. Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 12 July 2023 Some lawns are manicured while others are unkempt. Dallas News, 20 Dec. 2022 Wallace’s bob was poker-straight, whereas Emily’s unkempt, messy waves boast plenty of texture. Alice Cary, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2023 See all Example Sentences for unkempt 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unkempt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of unkempt was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near unkempt

Cite this Entry

“Unkempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unkempt. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

unkempt

adjective
un·​kempt ˌən-ˈkem(p)t How to pronounce unkempt (audio)
1
: not combed
2
: lacking in order or neatness : untidy

More from Merriam-Webster on unkempt

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!