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Dishevelment Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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dishevelment

[dษชหˆสƒษ›v(ษ™)lmษ™nt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

state of being disordered

Dishevelment refers to the state of being untidy, disordered, or unkempt. It is the lack of neatness or tidiness in appearance or arrangement.

Synonyms

disorder, messiness, untidiness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dishevelment

Best used to describe a personal appearance that is untidy or unkempt. It has a slight dramatic flair to it.

  • Her hair was in a state of dishevelment after the long flight.
  • He rushed into the meeting in a state of dishevelment.
disorder

Appropriate for situations where there is lack of order or organization, often used in both physical and abstract senses. It can refer to a chaotic state anywhere from a room to someone's conduct.

  • The office was in complete disorder after the renovation.
  • His finances were in disorder, leading to much stress.
messiness

Implies general untidiness and lack of cleanliness. It is more casual and commonly used to describe everyday clutter and unorganized spaces.

  • The messiness of the living room was overwhelming.
  • She apologized for the messiness in her car.
untidiness

Used to describe something that is not neat or ordered. It is slightly formal and often used to refer to places and things rather than personal appearance.

  • His untidiness makes it hard to find anything in his room.
  • The untidiness of the garden was surprising given the homeowner's attention to detail.

Examples of usage

  • He appeared at the meeting in a state of dishevelment, with his hair tousled and his clothes wrinkled.
  • The dishevelment of the room indicated that no one had been there for quite some time.
Context #2 | Noun

disorder in one's appearance

Dishevelment can also refer to the disorder in one's appearance, such as messy hair, wrinkled clothes, or overall unkempt look.

Synonyms

disarray, disheveledness, unkept.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dishevelment

Used to describe a state of complete disorder and untidiness, often referring to hair or clothing that is untidy and messy.

  • Her dishevelment suggested she had just woken up.
  • The room showed signs of dishevelment after the wild party.
disarray

Usually describes a state of confusion and lack of organization, can be used for both physical spaces and situations.

  • The papers were in complete disarray on his desk.
  • The sudden news threw the entire team into disarray.
disheveledness

Used to describe someone or something that is messy or untidy, typically referring to appearance. Similar to 'dishevelment' but more focused on the state rather than the action or result.

  • Her disheveledness was evident from her tangled hair and wrinkled clothes.
  • The disheveledness of the campsite indicated that the campers had left in a hurry.

Examples of usage

  • Her dishevelment suggested that she had just woken up and not yet had a chance to fix herself.
  • The dishevelment of his appearance contrasted sharply with the neatness of his surroundings.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'dishevelment'

The word 'dishevelment' originated from the Middle French word 'deschevelement', which means 'disheveled' or 'disordered'. It first appeared in the English language in the mid-16th century. The concept of dishevelment has been associated with lack of order and neatness throughout history, reflecting the importance of appearance and organization in various cultures.

See also: disheveled.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,212, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.