unkempt Hear it!

unkempt Definition

un·kempt (-kempt′)

adjective

  1. tangled, disheveled, etc., as if from not having been combed
  2. not tidy or neat; messy
  3. not polished or refined; crude; rough

Etymology: un- + kempt, pp. of dial. kemben, to comb < ME < OE cemban < camb, a comb

unkempt Related Forms
un·kempt′·ness noun
unkempt Synonyms

unkempt

modif.

  1. Dirty

    disheveled, uncombed, disorderly, unclean, untidy; see also dirty 1.

  2. Rough

    unpolished, unsophisticated, vulgar, coarse; see crude 1,

unkempt Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • appearance: Its general unkempt appearance led to low standards of maintenance of the other small green areas in the estate.
  • garden: A wildlife garden doesn't have to be an overgrown, unkempt garden - far from it.
  • man: My nails need trimming as well, in fact I am a rather unkempt old man at the moment.
  • beard: Such actions might include men wearing dresses, unkempt beards, or wrapping towels round their heads.
  • figure: With age, he became a rather sad and unkempt figure gradually going into decline, as did his beloved Oak Hall estate.
  • hedge: We were walking along an avenue between unkempt hedges leading to another hedge across the far end.

Modifying Another Word

  • rather: My nails need trimming as well, in fact I am a rather unkempt old man at the moment.
  • slightly: The grass " lawn " is slightly unkempt, and littered with wild flowers.
  • little: First of all, the starting point of Count Olaf's house is spookily drawn, looking ancient and a little unkempt.

Used with adjective complement

  • look: Compared to other boats in the marina it looked rather unkempt.
  • become: This shrub can become quite unkempt if not pruned well back.