disheveled
adjective
di·shev·eled
di-ˈshev-əld 
variants
or dishevelled
: marked by disorder or disarray
disheveled hair
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Disheveled comes from Middle English discheveled, meaning "bareheaded" or "with disordered hair." That word is partially based on Anglo-French deschevelé, a combination of the prefix des- ("dis-") and chevoil ("hair"). In English, disheveled describes things other than hair that have a messy or untidy appearance.
Examples of disheveled in a Sentence
His wrinkled suit gave him a disheveled appearance.
They looked dirty and disheveled.
Recent Examples on the Web
The trailer reveals that DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson, a wacky, disheveled revolutionary who’s trying to save his daughter.
—
Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025
When creating the outfits for the first 2001 Bridget Jones cast, Fleming sought to give Jones — whose diary entries detailed her romantic adventures, weight, and alcohol and cigarette consumption — a pragmatic, somewhat disheveled look that would feel relatable to busy women.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
Our local guide, Joseph, noted that the once dapper distinguished Gaudi in advanced years became a disheveled hermit living in the church’s workshop.
—Gqlshare, Orange County Register, 15 Jan. 2025
Someone could walk around smelling very bad and looking very disheveled and pose zero risk to anyone, Hamblin noted.
—Andrea Kane, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disheveled
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Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025
When creating the outfits for the first 2001 Bridget Jones cast, Fleming sought to give Jones — whose diary entries detailed her romantic adventures, weight, and alcohol and cigarette consumption — a pragmatic, somewhat disheveled look that would feel relatable to busy women.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
Our local guide, Joseph, noted that the once dapper distinguished Gaudi in advanced years became a disheveled hermit living in the church’s workshop.
—Gqlshare, Orange County Register, 15 Jan. 2025
Someone could walk around smelling very bad and looking very disheveled and pose zero risk to anyone, Hamblin noted.
—Andrea Kane, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disheveled
Cite this Entry
“Disheveled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disheveled. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
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