Finesentence logo

Dishevelled: meaning, definitions and examples

😵‍💫
Add to dictionary

dishevelled

 

[ dɪˈʃɛv.əld ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

appearance, hair

Dishevelled refers to a state of being untidy, unkempt, or in disorder, especially regarding hair or clothing. It often conveys a sense of a person being careless about their looks or having just been in a tumultuous situation.

Synonyms

disordered, messy, scruffy, unkempt, untidy

Examples of usage

  • She arrived at the meeting looking dishevelled after the long journey.
  • His dishevelled hair gave him a rugged charm.
  • The child emerged from the playground looking completely dishevelled.

Translations

Translations of the word "dishevelled" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desalinhado

🇮🇳 बिखरा हुआ

🇩🇪 zerzaust

🇮🇩 acak

🇺🇦 неохайний

🇵🇱 rozczochrany

🇯🇵 乱れた

🇫🇷 débraillé

🇪🇸 despeinado

🇹🇷 dağınık

🇰🇷 헝클어진

🇸🇦 مُشَوَّش

🇨🇿 neuklizený

🇸🇰 neporiadny

🇨🇳 凌乱的

🇸🇮 razmršen

🇮🇸 óreitt

🇰🇿 бұзылған

🇬🇪 შეურაცხყოფილი

🇦🇿 dağıntı

🇲🇽 despeinado

Etymology

The word 'dishevelled' originates from the Middle English term 'desheveel', which is derived from the Old French 'descheveler', meaning 'to uncoil hair' ('des-', meaning 'un-', and 'chevel', meaning 'hair'). The term has been in use since the 14th century and originally referred specifically to loose or unkempt hair but has since broadened to encompass a more general sense of disorderliness in appearance. Its usage has evolved over time, often illustrating a state of casualness or lack of concern for tidiness, reflecting cultural attitudes toward grooming and personal presentation.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,456, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.