kempt

Kempt is an English adjective meaning neatly kept, tidy, or well groomed. It describes people, hair, clothing, or places that have been carefully maintained or arranged. A kempt appearance suggests deliberate grooming and order; a kempt garden implies regular care. In modern usage, kempt is relatively uncommon and tends to appear in literary, historical, or stylistic contexts. More frequently used synonyms include neat, tidy, well-groomed, and well-kept; its natural opposite is unkempt.

Origin and etymology: The word is historical in English. It derives from Middle English kempt, related to older terms meaning "to comb" or "to arrange hair." Its exact lineage is obscure, but its sense has consistently centered on grooming and order.

Usage notes: Because kempt is somewhat archaic, writers typically reserve it for descriptive or decorative prose rather than everyday speech. It is often found in compound forms such as well-kempt or kempt appearance. The antonym unkempt is far more common in contemporary writing. It can appear in poetic or antiquated contexts as a stylistic choice to evoke a bygone era.