unkempt Definition
- 1having an untidy or disheveled appearance
- 2not properly maintained or cared for
Using unkempt: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "unkempt" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The garden was overgrown and unkempt.
Example
He had long, unkempt hair and a scruffy beard.
Example
The house was old and unkempt, with peeling paint and broken windows.
unkempt Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for unkempt
Antonyms for unkempt
- neat
- tidy
- well-groomed
Phrases with unkempt
an untidy or disheveled look
Example
She showed up to the interview with an unkempt appearance, which made a bad impression on the interviewer.
Example
He ran his fingers through his unkempt hair, trying to make it look presentable.
Example
The unkempt garden was full of weeds and dead plants.
Origins of unkempt
from un- (not) + kempt, which means 'combed'
Summary: unkempt in Brief
'Unkempt' [ʌnˈkɛmpt] describes something that is untidy, disheveled, or not properly maintained. It can refer to a person's appearance, such as 'He had long, unkempt hair and a scruffy beard,' or to a place, like 'The garden was overgrown and unkempt.' Synonyms include 'messy,' 'untidy,' and 'slovenly.' Antonyms are 'tidy,' 'neat,' and 'well-groomed.'