unkempt

adjective

un·​kempt ˌən-ˈkem(p)t How to pronounce unkempt (audio)
Synonyms of unkempt
1
: not combed
unkempt hair
2
: deficient in order or neatness
unkempt individuals
unkempt hotel rooms
also : rough, unpolished
unkempt prose

Synonyms of unkempt

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Examples of unkempt in a Sentence

She wore rumpled clothing and her hair was unkempt. an unkempt and cluttered room
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The drunken Ken spends his time on such things as warbling a karaoke version of a 4 Non Blondes song while an unkempt Ryu is a purveyor of ramen so bad even a stray cat won’t eat it. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026 Wendy Louis, 40, was arrested Tuesday after deputies conducted a welfare check on his home on Northeast 175th Street and found his children extremely thin and with unkempt, matted hair, the sheriff’s office said. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026 With his unkempt hair and ragamuffin clothing — was that a rope holding up his pants? — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026 Thus far, online commentary has focussed on what the trailer reveals of the sisters’ hair, which is often undone, even unkempt. — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unkempt

Word History

Etymology

Middle English unkemd, unkempt, from un- + kembed, kempt, past participle of kemben to comb, from Old English cemban; akin to Old High German chempen to comb, Old English camb comb — more at comb

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unkempt was in the 14th century

Rhymes for unkempt

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Browse Nearby Words

unkeeled
unkempt
unkemptly
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Cite this Entry

“Unkempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unkempt. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unkempt

adjective
un·​kempt ˌən-ˈkem(p)t How to pronounce unkempt (audio)
1
: not combed
2
: lacking in order or neatness : untidy
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