matted
Matted is used to describe hair or fur that is so tangled that it forms clumps or mats. Typically, this happens when the hair is not brushed regularly. It can also be used to describe something that is pressed down so that individual strands or pieces lose their separateness.
- Her long hair was matted and dirty after days of hiking.
- The dog's fur was matted and needed grooming.
tangled
Tangled describes something that is intertwined in a way that makes it difficult to separate or straighten. This word is often used for hair, wires, or ropes that are mixed together chaotically.
- Her hair got all tangled in the wind.
- The wires behind the computer desk were tangled and needed organizing.
knotted
Knotted refers to something that is twisted together and forms a knot, which is a tightly closed loop. This term can be used for hair, strings, threads, or ropes that have small, tight loops.
- The necklace chain got knotted in the jewelry box.
- She had to carefully untangle the knotted strings of her shoelaces.
tousled
Tousled is used to describe hair that has been slightly disturbed, usually giving it a messy but attractive look. It often implies a casual, natural, and somewhat romantic disarray.
- He woke up with his hair tousled from sleep.
- She had that tousled, beachy hair look after a day at the shore.