Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   Mess

   /mes/

   

   noun

   • 1. a dirty or untidy state of things or of a place: "she made a mess of the kitchen" Similar untidinessdisorderdisarrayclutterheapshambleslittertanglejumblemuddlemishmashchaosconfusiondisorganizationturmoilinformal:muckfrightsightdog's dinner/breakfasttip
   • ▪ a thing or collection of things causing an untidy or dirty state: "she replaced the jug and mopped up the mess"
   • ▪ a person who is dirty or untidy: "I look a mess"
   • ▪ used euphemistically to refer to the excrement of a domestic animal: "dog mess" Similar excrementdungmuckfecesexcretadirt
   • 2. a situation or state of affairs that is confused or full of difficulties: "the economy is still in a terrible mess" Similar plightpredicamentemergencytight spottight cornerdifficultystraitstroublequandarydilemmaproblemmuddlemix-upconfusioncomplicationimbroglioentanglementmireinformal:jamfixpicklestewhot waterholepretty/fine kettle of fishscrapemuddlebotchbunglewreckinformal:hashmuckfoul-upscrewupcock-upshamblesomnishamblescar crashsnafuvulgar slang:fuck-upballs-up
   • ▪ a person whose life or affairs are confused or troubled: "he needs treatment of some kind—he's a real mess"
   • 3. a portion of semisolid or pulpy food, especially one that looks unappetizing: "a mess of mashed black beans and rice"
   • 4. a building or room in which members of the armed forces take their meals; mess hall: "the sergeants' mess"
   • ▪ a meal taken there.

   verb

   • 1. make untidy or dirty: "she scratched her head, messing her hair still further"
   • ▪ (of a domestic animal) defecate: "they had some problems with dogs messing in the store"
   • ▪ make dirty by defecating: "he feared he would mess the bed"
   • 2. take one's meals in a particular place or with a particular person, especially in an armed forces' mess: "I messed at first with Harry, who was to become a lifelong friend"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French mes ‘portion of food’, from late Latin missum ‘something put on the table’, past participle of mittere ‘send, put’. The original sense was ‘a serving of (semiliquid) food’, later ‘liquid food for an animal’; this gave rise (early 19th century) to the senses ‘unappetizing concoction’ and ‘predicament’, on which sense 1 is based. In late Middle English the term also denoted any of the small groups into which the company at a banquet was divided (who were served from the same dishes); hence, ‘a group who regularly eat together’ (recorded in military use from the mid 16th century).

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • M

     3

   • E

     1

   • S

     1

   • S

     1

   Powered by Oxford Languages

   More Definitions, Word Origin & ScrabbleShow less

2. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishmess noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

   • Cached

   Definition of mess noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. mess. noun. /mes/ untidy state. [countable, usually singular] a dirty or untidy state. in a mess The room was in a mess. The kids made a mess in the bathroom. ‘What a mess!’ she said, surveying the scene after the party. My hair's a real mess! Extra Examples.

3. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishMESS definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   3 days ago · 1. a state of confusion or untidiness, esp if dirty or unpleasant. the house was in a mess. 2. a chaotic or troublesome state of affairs; muddle. his life was a mess. 3. informal. a dirty or untidy person or thing. 4. archaic.

4. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › messMess - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › mess

   Definitions of mess. noun. a state of confusion and disorderliness. “the house was a mess ” synonyms: messiness, muss, mussiness. see more. noun. informal terms for a difficult situation. synonyms: fix, hole, jam, kettle of fish, muddle, pickle. see more. verb. make a mess of or create disorder in. “He messed up his room” synonyms: mess up.

5. www.thefreedictionary.com › messMess - definition of mess by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › mess

   • Cached

   n. 1. a. A cluttered, untidy, usually dirty place or condition: The kitchen was a mess. b. Something that is disorderly or dirty, as a accumulation or heap: Who left the mess on the kitchen floor? 2. a. A confused, troubling, or embarrassing condition or situation: With divorce and bankruptcy proceedings pending, his personal life was in a mess. b.

6. www.dictionary.com › browse › mess&MESS Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › mess&

   • Cached

   noun. a dirty, untidy, or disordered condition: The room was in a mess. a person or thing that is dirty, untidy, or disordered. a state of embarrassing confusion: My affairs are in a mess. an unpleasant or difficult situation: She got into a mess driving without a license. a dirty or untidy mass, litter, or jumble: a mess of papers.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › americanmess noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american

   • Cached

   noun. /mɛs/ dirty state. [countable, usually singular] a condition in which things are dirty or not neat The room was a mess. The kids made a mess in the bathroom. “What a mess!” she said, surveying the scene after the party. My hair's a real mess! Definitions on the go.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryMESS | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   B1. Someone or something that is a mess, or is in a mess, is dirty or untidy: [ usually singular ] My hair's such a mess! The house is in a mess. Don't make a mess in the kitchen! Fewer examples. His house is a right mess. Have you got something I could wipe this mess up with? It's a bit much to expect me to tidy up their mess.