disheveled

Disheveled is an adjective that describes a state of untidy or disorderly appearance in a person, hair, clothing, or a space. It often implies that grooming or organization has been neglected or interrupted, as in tangled hair, wrinkled garments, or a room strewn with belongings. The term carries a mild negative connotation and is less harsh than terms such as slovenly or unkempt, but it still signals disorder.

Etymology: The word comes from the French deschevelé, from des- "un-" and chevel "hair" (with the English verb dishevel as a related form). In English usage, dishevel evokes a sense of recent upheaval or hurried movement rather than deliberate messiness.

Usage and nuance: Disheveled is commonly used in descriptive writing and journalistic or casual speech to convey a momentary or residual lack of polish. It can describe people after a long day, appearances altered by weather or circumstance, or rooms affected by activity. Synonyms include untidy, disordered, and rumpled; antonyms include neat, tidy, orderly, and immaculate.

Examples: "Her disheveled hair and wrinkled blazer suggested a morning spent rushing between meetings." "The disheveled apartment bore the marks of a recent move." The term is flexible enough to describe both people and environments, and it often conveys a sense of immediacy or impact rather than lasting neglect.