messier; messiest
1
: marked by confusion, disorder, or dirt : untidy
a messy room
3
: extremely unpleasant or trying
messy lawsuits
a messy divorce
Synonyms
Examples of messy in a Sentence
Painting a room can be messy work.
Some kinds of glue are messier than others.
a delicious but messy sandwich
Recent Examples on the Web
In Final Talks To Join Al Pacino, Jessica Chastain & More In Barry Levinson JFK Thriller 'Assassination'
Barry Levinson Signs With Atlas Artists
The suit is messy and largely born out of several complicated production agreements signed before Levinson’s involvement in the project.
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Zac Ntim, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025
The last snap highlighted how messy Ori got, showing Gadot's baby girl covered in cake on her hands and her face.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
Drug policy experts point out the end of alcohol prohibition in the 1930s was also messy.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 3 Feb. 2025
Brat is busy, messy, shape-shifting, and boundless — way closer to the sound of the future.
—Jason Lamphier, EW.com, 1 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for messy 
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Zac Ntim, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025
The last snap highlighted how messy Ori got, showing Gadot's baby girl covered in cake on her hands and her face.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
Drug policy experts point out the end of alcohol prohibition in the 1930s was also messy.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 3 Feb. 2025
Brat is busy, messy, shape-shifting, and boundless — way closer to the sound of the future.
—Jason Lamphier, EW.com, 1 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for messy
Articles Related to messy
Dictionary Entries Near messy
Cite this Entry
“Messy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/messy. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
messy
adjective
messier; messiest
1
: marked by confusion, disorder, or dirt : untidy
2
: extremely unpleasant or trying
messy lawsuits
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