messily

Messily is an English adverb describing the manner in which something is done in a disorderly or untidy way. It modifies verbs to convey a lack of neatness or organization in an action rather than describing the state of objects themselves.

The term typically carries a negative or critical connotation, though it can be descriptive rather than evaluative in certain contexts. Examples include phrases like “They packed the suitcase messily” or “She painted the wall messily,” where the emphasis is on the manner of action rather than the outcome alone.

Etymology and form: Messily is formed by adding the suffix -ly to the adjective messy. The adjective messy derives from the noun mess, with origins in Middle English and Old French influence. The adverbial formation follows the standard pattern in English for describing how actions are performed.

Usage notes: Messily is common in everyday language and informal writing. In more formal contexts, speakers may substitute phrases such as “in a disorderly manner” or “sloppily” for precision or tone. It pairs with verbs that describe actions involving organization, design, or physical handling, and it contrasts with adverbs like neatly, tidily, and orderly.

See also: messy, mess (noun), disorderly, haphazardly, sloppily.