mess

mess · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A dirty or untidy state of things or a place.

  2. 2.

    A situation that is confused or full of problems.

  3. 3.

    A place where military personnel eat together; a dining hall.

  4. 4.

    To make something dirty or untidy.

Forms

plural: messes

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    mess around/about — to spend time idly; to behave in a silly way
  • •
    mess up — to make a mistake; to ruin something
  • •
    mess with — to interfere with; to provoke
  • •
    a hot mess — something or someone in a state of extreme disorder or confusion

Related words

Antonyms: neatness, order, organization, tidiness
See also: chaos, disorder, messed, messy
Synonyms: chaos, clutter, disarray, disorder, muddle

Etymology

From Old French mes ("portion of food"), from Late Latin missus ("course at dinner"), past participle of mittere ("to send, put"). The sense of "disorder" developed from the idea of food mixed together in a disorderly way.