untidy

[ uhn-tahy-dee ]

adjective

, un·ti·di·er, un·ti·di·est.

1. not tidy or neat; slovenly; disordered:

   an untidy room; an untidy person.

2. not well-organized or carried out:

   an untidy plan.

verb (used with object)

, un·ti·died, un·ti·dy·ing.

1. to mess up; disorder; disarrange:

   The guests untidied the room.

untidy

/ ʌnˈtaɪdɪ /

adjective

1. not neat; slovenly

verb

1. tr to make untidy

Derived Forms

• unˈtidiness, noun
• unˈtidily, adverb

Other Words From

• un·tidi·ly adverb
• un·tidi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of untidy¹

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; un- ¹, tidy

Example Sentences

But to Berkowitz the untidy appearance hasn’t diminished what he sees as quality care he’s provided to his ducks.

From Los Angeles Times

Scheffler’s untidy Saturday 73 robbed the Masters champion of the chance to pursue the grand slam, but given the events of the previous day it was entirely understandable.

From BBC

Now Jordan Clark has been booked for an untidy foul on Ryan Christie who is in pain.

From BBC

Photographs of the sign-fitter's work van - which she said was "almost always dirty and untidy" - were shown to the jurors.

From BBC

Turnovers, picks, flags, another untidy effort showed that — even with a win — the Eagles still don’t play like a team primed to make a second straight run at the Super Bowl.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bedraggled
• jumbled
• messy
• sloppy
• tangled