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Synonyms

disheveled

American  
[dih-shev-uhld] / dɪˈʃɛv əld /
especially British, dishevelled

adjective

  1. hanging loosely or in disorder; unkempt.

    disheveled hair.

  2. untidy; disarranged.

    a disheveled appearance.

    Synonyms:
    sloppy, slovenly, messy

Other Word Forms

  • undisheveled adjective

Etymology

Origin of disheveled

1375–1425; late Middle English discheveled < Old French deschevele, past participle of descheveler to dishevel the hair, equivalent to des- dis- 1 + -cheveler, derivative of chevel a hair < Latin capillus

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She was pale and thin, and her golden hair was loose and disheveled.

From Literature

A disheveled man sick of endless waiting launched into an eloquent tirade ending with Samuel Beckett -- "You know what happened in the story of Godot? He never came."

From Barron's

I turn around to see Emma running across the yard, her bare feet kicking up grass clippings and her disheveled hair flying in the breeze like a lion’s mane.

From Literature

His hair was a little disheveled, and it looked as if he hadn’t shaved since the night before.

From Literature

But the next day people began arriving in dozens, then in droves, some from Trokorpe and nearby villages, disheveled, distraught, grown men sobbing like babies.

From Literature