Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

unkempt

[ uhn-kempt ]

adjective

  1. not combed:

    unkempt hair.

  2. uncared-for or neglected; disheveled; messy:

    unkempt clothes; an unkempt lawn.

  3. unpolished; rough; crude.


unkempt

/ ʌˈɛ /

adjective

  1. (of the hair) uncombed; dishevelled
  2. ungroomed; slovenly

    unkempt appearance

  3. archaic.
    crude or coarse
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ܲˈ𳾱ٲԱ, noun
  • ܲˈ𳾱ٱ, adverb
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • ܲ·𳾱l adverb
  • ܲ·𳾱n noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of unkempt1

1590–1600; variant of unkembed; un- 1, kempt
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of unkempt1

Old English uncembed; from un- 1+ cembed, past participle of cemban to comb ; related to Old Saxon kembian, Old High German kemben to comb
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

An FBI official would testify that he tried to fire the “unkempt” Miller, but that a Mormon supervisor had protected him.

From

The detective here, blending a couple of characters from the book, is Inspector Leach, a depressed drinker so unkempt one wonders why he hasn’t been put on administrative leave.

From

David remembers the moment he found his elderly stepfather, John, unkempt and suffering from dementia, living alone in an unclean hotel room.

From

Japan's government has admitted an official photo of its new cabinet was manipulated to make members look less unkempt after online speculation that it had been edited.

From

His appearance is changing too, an unkempt beard and dirty clothes a far cry from his polished morning TV look.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Unkelosunkenned