adj.
Pronunciation: ' me-s ē
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: mess · i · er ; -est
Date: 1843
1 : marked by confusion, disorder, or dirt : UNTIDY <a messy room>
2 : lacking neatness or precision : CARELESS , SLOVENLY < messy thinking>
3 : extremely unpleasant or trying < messy lawsuits>
– mess · i · ly \ ' me-s ə -l ē \ adverb
– mess · i · ness \ ' me-s ē -n ə s \ noun