Disheveling: meaning, definitions and examples

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disheveling

 

[ dɪˈʃɛvəlɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

messy appearance

To dishevel means to make something untidy or disordered, particularly in reference to hair or clothing. This term is often used to describe a state of disarray, suggesting that the subject appears unkempt or chaotic. Disheveling can refer to the act of ruffling hair or disturbing the neatness of a garment. It frequently conveys a sense of having been through a tumultuous experience or a sudden change in circumstances. The term is often invoked in literary contexts to emphasize a character's emotional state or upheaval.

Synonyms

disarray, disorder, mess up, rugged, untidy.

Examples of usage

  • Her hair was disheveled after the wind blew through it.
  • He looked disheveled after a night of partying.
  • The room was disheveled, with clothes strewn about.
  • She disheveled his neatly combed hair playfully.

Translations

Translations of the word "disheveling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desalinhar

🇮🇳 बिखेरना

🇩🇪 verwirren

🇮🇩 kebingungan

🇺🇦 розпатлання

🇵🇱 rozczochrany

🇯🇵 乱れさせる

🇫🇷 décoiffer

🇪🇸 despeinar

🇹🇷 dağınık hale getirme

🇰🇷 어지럽히다

🇸🇦 تجعيد

🇨🇿 zplést

🇸🇰 rozcuchaný

🇨🇳 弄乱

🇸🇮 razkrojiti

🇮🇸 týna

🇰🇿 бұзу

🇬🇪 შეუსაბამობა

🇦🇿 qarışdırmaq

🇲🇽 despeinar

Etymology

The word 'dishevel' originates from the Middle English term 'disheveled', which is derived from the Old French 'deschevelé', meaning 'uncombed' or 'unkept'. This word breaks down further into 'des' (a prefix meaning 'to reverse') and 'chevel' (stem of 'cheveu', meaning 'hair'). Its first recorded use dates back to the late 14th century, reflecting a time when personal grooming and attire were closely tied to social status. As languages evolved, the simplistic notion of disheveling came to symbolize broader themes of chaos and disorder. Throughout the centuries, literature has frequently employed the term to depict characters in distress or tumult, highlighting a universal experience of losing one's neatness in the face of emotional turmoil.