Mess (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

Admin
noun
  1. a dirty, untidy, or disordered condition: The room was in a mess.
  2. a person or thing that is dirty, untidy, or disordered.
  3. a state of embarrassing confusion: My affairs are in a mess.
  4. an unpleasant or difficult situation: She got into a mess driving without a license.
  5. a dirty or untidy mass, litter, or jumble: a mess of papers.
  6. a group regularly taking their meals together.
  7. the meal so taken.
  8. mess hall.
  9. messroom.
  10. a quantity of food sufficient for a dish or a single occasion: to pick a mess of sweet corn for dinner.
  11. a sloppy or unappetizing preparation of food.
  12. a dish or quantity of soft or liquid food: to cook up a nice mess of pottage.
  13. a person whose life or affairs are in a state of confusion, especially a person with a confused or disorganized moral or psychological outlook.
verb (used with object)
  1. to make dirty or untidy (often followed by up): Don't mess the room.
  2. to make a mess or muddle of (affairs, responsibilities, etc.) (often followed by up): They messed the deal.
  3. to supply with meals, as military personnel.
  4. to treat roughly; beat up (usually followed by up): The gang messed him up.
verb (used without object)
  1. to eat in company, especially as a member of a mess.
  2. to make a dirty or untidy mess.
Verb Phrases
  1. mess around / about
    • to busy oneself without purpose or plan; work aimlessly or halfheartedly; putter.
    • to waste time; loaf.
    • to meddle or interfere.
    • to involve or associate oneself, especially for immoral or unethical purposes: His wife accused him of messing around with gamblers.
    • to trifle sexually; philander.
  2. to intervene officiously; meddle: You'll get no thanks for messing in the affairs of others.
  3. mess up,
    • to make dirty, untidy, or disordered.
    • to make muddled, confused, etc.; make a mess of; spoil; botch.
    • to perform poorly; bungle: She messed up on the final exam.
noun
  1. a state of confusion or untidiness, esp if dirty or unpleasant
  2. a chaotic or troublesome state of affairs; muddle
  3. a dirty or untidy person or thing
  4. a portion of food, esp soft or semiliquid food
  5. a place where service personnel eat or take recreation
  6. a group of people, usually servicemen, who eat together
  7. the meal so taken
  8. a material gain involving the sacrifice of a higher value
verb
  1. to muddle or dirty
  2. to make a mess
  3. to interfere; meddle
  4. to group together, esp for eating
Mess (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

More Definitions