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to mess

to mess

248 1.0
To make something untidy or dirty
  • verb
  • /mɛs/
translation icon : desordenar
  • You mess this one up.

And we do and will mess it up in some way every single day.

Examples

Synonyms

to scramble
vsto mess
85 2.6

Mix eggs quickly while cooking until they become soft and fluffy

is the general term, not limited to vigorous or physical stirring
to mix up
vsto mess
  • Informal
65 2.7

To make people confused and things messy

focuses more on physical untidiness rather than only confusion
to mess up
vsto mess
  • Informal
52 3.0

To make something untidy, dirty, or not in the right place

is the simple general term covering untidiness, dirtiness, or disorder
to clutter
vsto mess
27 3.7

To fill a space with many things so it becomes untidy

covers that but also includes dirtiness and general disorder
to jumble
vsto mess
22 3.8

Mix things together in a confused way

is broader, covering dirtiness and general untidiness not only mixing
to dirty
vsto mess
14 1.0

To make something unclean or covered with dirt

is broader, including untidiness and disorder as well as dirt
to disorder
vsto mess
7 5.5

To make something untidy or not in its usual order

is more everyday and covers both dirt and general untidiness
to muss
vsto mess
6 7.9

To make hair, clothes, or a surface messy

is the general idea, not limited to small or light untidiness
to muddy
vsto mess
5 1.9

Make something dirty with mud or sediment

is the everyday term covering both dirtiness and untidiness
to disorganize
vsto mess
  • US
4 4.5

To make something lose its order or structure

is the common term for making something untidy or disordered
to muck
vsto mess
3 3.5

To make something dirty with mud

is less specific and covers dirt, disorder, and untidiness
to dishevel
vsto mess
2 8.1

To make someone's hair or clothes look untidy

is more general, not only about personal appearance
to create a mess
vsto mess
1 2.1

Make a place messy so things are not in order

is the broader everyday verb for causing untidiness or disorder
to disarray
vsto mess
1 5.6

To make things untidy or cause confusion

is the simpler everyday verb for causing similar untidiness
to fuffle
vsto mess
  • Informal
9.9

To make hair, clothes, or papers untidy by moving them

is broader, applying to places, objects, and dirt as well
to muck up
vsto mess
  • Informal
6.7

To make something dirty with mud or dirt

is the general verb for causing untidiness or dirt, not only mud

Antonyms

1.0

To remove dirt and stains

42 1.0

To make a place neat by putting things away

Idioms

9 1.6

Something that is untidy and not in order

2 8.4

A very large, messy situation that is hard to fix

mess of pottage
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A small thing of little value taken instead of something better

To make a confusing or difficult situation clear

To give up something very important for a small, quick gain

Phrasal Verbs

to mess up
  • Informal
597 2.8

To make a mistake that causes a problem

to mess around
  • Informal
111 4.1

To spend time doing playful or unplanned activities

to mess up
  • Informal
52 3.0

To make something untidy, dirty, or not in the right place

3 5.9

To spend time somewhere doing nothing special

Make a place messy so things are not in order

to unshit the mess
  • Offensive
9.9

To fix a serious problem left behind in a project or system

Compounds

mess hall
  • Jargon
27 3.4

A large room where people in the military eat

mess-up
  • Informal
9 5.1

A situation that is badly organized and full of mistakes

2 3.9

A set of metal plates, cups, and spoons that soldiers or campers use to eat outdoors

1 6.9

A dining room for military officers to eat and meet

sticky mess
  • Informal
1 5.5

A difficult, unpleasant situation that is hard to fix

1 3.7

A dirty, greasy stain or spill that is hard to clean

A tangled group of cables that looks untidy

mess jacket
  • Jargon
8.4

Short jacket worn by military officers at formal dinners

widdle mess
  • Baby Talk
9.9

A small untidy area made by a child or pet

How Messy

to clutter
27 3.7
to mess
248 1.0
to muddle
33 4.8
to tidy
42 1.0

Surface Forms

mess infinitive
messed past
messed past participle
messing present participle
messes third person singular

Etymology

The verb mess (to make untidy) comes from the noun 'mess' — to 'mess' something is to make it like a mixed-up dish, so to mess something up is to make it dirty or disordered.