unkempt

[uhn-kempt]

adjective

1. not combed.

   unkempt hair.

2. uncared-for or neglected; disheveled; messy.

   unkempt clothes; an unkempt lawn.

3. unpolished; rough; crude.

unkempt

/ ʌnˈkɛmpt /

adjective

1. (of the hair) uncombed; dishevelled

2. ungroomed; slovenly

   unkempt appearance

3. archaic,  crude or coarse

Other Word Forms

• unkemptness noun
• unkemptly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unkempt¹

1590–1600; variant of unkembed; un- ¹, kempt

Word History and Origins

Origin of unkempt¹

Old English uncembed; from _un- ¹ + cembed, past participle of cemban to _comb ; related to Old Saxon kembian, Old High German kemben to comb

Example Sentences

At the time of the police's first visit, in early November 2024, he was living in an annexe of his parents' property, and was described as looking "unkempt".

From BBC

It’s not that the right of way under the power lines now is unkempt.

From Los Angeles Times

The house appeared unkempt and had signs of disrepair.

From BBC

An FBI official would testify that he tried to fire the “unkempt” Miller, but that a Mormon supervisor had protected him.

From Los Angeles Times

The detective here, blending a couple of characters from the book, is Inspector Leach, a depressed drinker so unkempt one wonders why he hasn’t been put on administrative leave.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bedraggled 
• dilapidated 
• disheveled 
• grubby 
• grungy 
• messy 
• neglected www.thesaurus.com
• rumpled www.thesaurus.com
• scruffy 
• shaggy