26984 words

mess

13 definitions • 21 examples
1
Mess or a mess is something or someone that looks dirty or untidy:

Examples:

make a mess He makes a terrible mess when he's cooking.
in a mess UK Jem's house is always in a mess.
clean up a mess Go and clean up that mess in the kitchen.
UK Freddy can't stand mess.
look a mess mainly UK I look a mess - I can't go out like this!
My hair's such a mess today!
2
an animal's solid waste:

Examples:

Fido left another mess on the carpet.
3
a situation that is full of problems:

Examples:

She said that her life was a mess.
get yourself into a mess I got myself into a mess by telling a lie.
in a mess The company's finances are in a mess.
4
a person whose life is full of problems they cannot deal with:

Examples:

After the divorce he was a real mess and started drinking too much.
5
to do something badly or spoil something:

Examples:

I made a real mess of my final exams.
6
a room or building in which members of the armed forces have their meals or spend their free time:

Examples:

The captain was having breakfast in the mess hall.
officers' mess They spent their evenings in the officers' mess, drinking and playing cards.
7
a large public room where people have their meals
8
to make something untidy:

Examples:

Don't you dare mess my hair!
9
to leave solid waste somewhere:

Examples:

The neighbour's dog has messed on our lawn again!
10
a condition of disorder and confusion, or something in that condition:

Examples:

They left the kitchen a mess.
We sat in traffic for two hours while they cleaned up the mess from the accident.
11
A mess is also a dirty condition:

Examples:

The puppy’s made a mess on the dining room rug.
12
A mess is also a situation that is full of problems and difficulties:

Examples:

Traffic was a mess.
13
a room or building in which members of the military eat their meals:

Examples:

the officers’ mess

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