unkempt

/ˌʌnˈkempt/ (bre, ipa) · [ənkˈɛmpt] /ˌʌnˈkempt/ (ame, ipa) · [ənkˈɛmpt] /ˌən-ˈkem(p)t How to pronounce unkempt (audio)/ (ame, mw)

unkempt — 形容詞

  • unkemptpositive
  • more unkemptcomparative
  • most unkemptsuperlative

1. Someone who is unkempt looks messy, with hair and clothes that have not been bru

1.形容詞B2
釋義

邋遢的

頭髮或衣服凌亂、未經打理

Someone who is unkempt looks messy, with hair and clothes that have not been brushed, combed, or tidied. The word also describes places or objects that appear neglected and lack order.

例句

Dario arrived at the interview with unkempt hair and a wrinkled shirt.

Dario 穿著皺巴巴的襯衫，頭髮亂糟糟地前去面試。

collocation: unkempt hair

The old garden behind the house had grown unkempt, with weeds climbing over the fence.

屋後的老花園已變得雜亂不堪，雜草爬滿了籬笆。

pattern: grow + unkempt (places)

同義詞
  • messy

    broader and more common; can describe temporary or permanent disorder

  • dishevelled

    specifically of hair or clothing that is ruffled or hanging loose

  • scruffy

    suggests worn-out or shabby clothing rather than uncombed hair

  • untidy

    less strong than unkempt; can apply to rooms and desks

反義詞
  • tidy

    neatly arranged or cared for

  • well-groomed

    used for a person whose hair and clothes have been carefully attended to

用法筆記

Most commonly applied to a person's hair, beard, or clothing, unkempt can also describe gardens, yards, buildings, or animals. Unlike messy, which can refer to any temporary disorder, unkempt suggests a longer period of neglect or lack of grooming.

常見錯誤

❌The kitchen was unkempt after cooking dinner.
✅The kitchen was messy after cooking dinner.
💡unkempt implies long-term neglect, not a temporary mess from an activity.
❌His homework was unkempt and full of errors.
✅His homework was messy and full of errors.
💡unkempt refers to physical appearance, not abstract things like schoolwork.