disheveled
UK: dɪˈʃevəld | US: dɪˈʃevəld
adj. (of hair, clothes, or appearance) untidy or disordered
adj. (of a person) looking untidy or unkempt
disheveled = dis<apart/away> + hevel<tangle> + ed<adjective suffix>
- dis-: A prefix of Latin origin meaning "apart" or "away," often indicating negation or reversal.
- hevel: Derived from Old French chevel (hair), from Latin capillus (hair). The root implies "tangled" or "loosely arranged."
- -ed: A suffix forming adjectives, indicating a state or condition.
Etymology Origin:
The word disheveled traces back to the Latin capillus (hair), evolving through Old French chevel (hair) and later combining with the prefix dis- to imply "apart from neatness." Originally describing disordered hair, it expanded to general untidiness. The progression reflects a vivid shift from literal hair disarray to broader disorganization.
After the storm, her hair was disheveled and full of leaves.
The professor walked in, looking disheveled after a sleepless night.
His disheveled appearance suggested he had rushed to the meeting.
The room was left disheveled, with clothes scattered everywhere.
Despite his disheveled suit, he delivered the speech with confidence.