What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
untidily
Example
She left her clothes untidily scattered all over the room. [untidily: adverb]
Example
He wrote his notes untidily, making it difficult to read. [untidily: adverb]
disorderly
Example
The protesters became disorderly and started throwing rocks. [disorderly: adjective]
Example
The classroom was in a disorderly state after the students left. [disorderly: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disorderly is more commonly used than untidily in everyday language. Disorderly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while untidily is less common and refers to a specific lack of neatness or order.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between untidily and disorderly?
Both untidily and disorderly are informal words, but disorderly can be used in more formal contexts when describing situations or behavior that lack order or discipline.
