Disorganized: meaning, definitions and examples

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disorganized

[dɪsˈɔːɡənaɪzd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

work environment

Lacking order or method; messy; chaotic.

Synonyms

chaotic, cluttered, messy, untidy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disorganized	Use this word to describe a situation, plan, or person that lacks structure, order, or efficiency. Often used in professional or formal contexts. The team's disorganized approach led to many missed deadlines. His disorganized desk makes it hard for him to find important documents.
messy	Often used in informal situations to describe something or someone that is dirty, unkempt, or not properly organized. It carries a slightly negative connotation. His room is always messy with clothes all over the place. The kids made the kitchen messy after their cooking experiment.
chaotic	Best used to describe situations that are extremely disordered, confusing, and hard to manage. It often implies a sense of urgency or crisis. The evacuation turned chaotic when the fire alarms started blaring. The market is chaotic during the holiday season.
cluttered	Refers to a physical space filled with too many items, making it hard to find things or move around easily. The garage is so cluttered that it's almost impossible to park the car inside. Her desk is cluttered with papers, books, and miscellaneous items.
untidy	Describes physical spaces or appearances that lack neatness and order. It is similar to 'messy' but often used in slightly more formal contexts. She received a warning for her untidy workspace. He showed up to the meeting looking untidy and unprofessional.

Examples of usage

Her desk is always so disorganized, it's hard to find anything in there.
The files in the cabinet were disorganized, making it difficult to locate the necessary documents.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

personal habits

Characterized by a lack of organization or planning.

Synonyms

careless, haphazard, scatterbrained, unsystematic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disorganized	When someone or something lacks order or is messy. Her desk was disorganized, with papers and books all over the place
unsystematic	When there is a lack of a clear system or method. His research was unsystematic, making it difficult to draw any firm conclusions
haphazard	When something is done in a random or unplanned way. Often implies a lack of method or organization. The meeting was organized in a haphazard manner, with no clear agenda or structure
scatterbrained	When someone is forgetful or unable to concentrate. Often used to describe a person's behavior. She can be quite scatterbrained, often forgetting where she left her keys
careless	When someone does not pay enough attention to doing something correctly, often leading to mistakes. This often has a negative connotation. He made a careless mistake on his test because he didn't check his answers

Examples of usage

His disorganized approach to studying often led to poor academic performance.
She tends to be disorganized when it comes to keeping track of appointments and deadlines.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'not' and 'organized,' which means arranged properly.
It appeared in the English language in the early 1900s, reflecting social changes and the increase in office work.
The evolution of the term often relates to the growing complexity of modern life, where information can become chaotic.

Psychology

Research shows that being disorganized can lead to increased stress levels and lower productivity.
People who are disorganized may struggle with time management and decision-making, impacting their daily lives.
Cognitive psychology suggests that effective organization helps improve memory and learning retention.

Pop Culture

In cartoons and movies, disorganized characters often create humorous situations, highlighting their chaotic nature.
Popular TV shows about home makeovers frequently emphasize the importance of organization and decluttering.
Disorganization is sometimes used as a comedic trope in literature, characterizing the 'scatterbrained' persona.

Education

Studies indicate that organized study environments can enhance concentration and academic performance.
Teachers often implement organizational strategies in classrooms, helping students learn how to manage their work effectively.
Learning disabilities, such as ADHD, can be associated with difficulties in maintaining organization.

Technology

Digital disorganization happens when files and emails are scattered across various platforms, making retrieval challenging.
Apps and software for organization, like task managers, have become essential in combating disorganization in both personal and professional settings.
The rise of remote work has increased the need for effective digital organization to maintain workflow efficiency.

Translations

Translations of the word "disorganized" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desorganizado

🇮🇳 अव्यवस्थित

🇩🇪 unorganisiert

🇮🇩 tidak teratur

🇺🇦 недисциплінований

🇵🇱 niezorganizowany

🇯🇵 整理されていない

🇫🇷 désorganisé

🇪🇸 desorganizado

🇹🇷 düzensiz

🇰🇷 조직되지 않은

🇸🇦 غير منظم

🇨🇿 neorganizovaný

🇸🇰 neorganizovaný

🇨🇳 无组织的

🇸🇮 neorganiziran

🇮🇸 óskipulagt

🇰🇿 ұйымдастырылмаған

🇬🇪 დაუკომპლექტებელი

🇦🇿 təşkilatlanmamış

🇲🇽 desorganizado

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,298, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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17296 premiere
17297 inimical
17298 disorganized
17299 spermatozoa
17300 packer
17301 opportune
...