mess

UK: mɛs | US: mɛs

Definition
  1. n. a dirty or untidy state

  2. n. a difficult or confused situation

  3. vt. to make something dirty or untidy

  4. vt. to handle something clumsily or incorrectly

Structure

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Etymology

The word "mess" traces back to Old French mes (portion of food) and Late Latin missus (course of a meal), originally referring to a serving of food. Over time, it evolved to mean the place where food was served (e.g., a military mess hall), eventually shifting to describe the disorder left after eating. By the 19th century, it broadened to mean any state of untidiness or confusion, reflecting the chaotic aftermath of shared meals.

Examples
  1. The children left a mess in the living room after playing.

  2. He tried to fix the computer but only made a bigger mess.

  3. The kitchen was in a mess after the dinner party.

  4. Don’t mess with the settings unless you know what you’re doing.

  5. Her life was a mess after the sudden job loss.