unkempt

English

Etymology

From earlier unkembed, unkemmed, from Middle English unkempt (uncombed), equivalent to un- + kempt. Compare Old Norse úkembdr (uncombed; unkempt"; > Icelandic ókembdur), German ungekämmt (unkempt), Dutch ongekamd. More at kemb.

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /ˌʌnˈkɛmpt/
  • Rhymes: -ɛmpt

Adjective

unkempt (comparative more unkempt, superlative most unkempt)

  1. (of hair) Uncombed; dishevelled
  2. (by extension) Disorderly; untidy; messy; not kept up
  3. (figuratively) Rough; unpolished

Synonyms

Translations

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