Dishevelment: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.