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1. Dictionary

   mess

   /mɛs/

   noun

   • 1. a dirty or untidy state of things or of a place: "she made a mess of the kitchen" Similar untidinessdisorderdisarrayclutterheapshambleslittertanglejumblemuddlemishmashchaosconfusiondisorganizationturmoilinformal:muckfrightsightdog's dinner/breakfasttip
   • ▪ a thing or collection of things causing a dirty or untidy state: "she replaced the jug and mopped up the mess"
   • ▪ a person who is dirty or untidy: "I look a mess"
   • ▪ used euphemistically to refer to the excrement of a domestic animal: "dog mess" Similar excrementdungmuckfaecesexcretadirt
   • 2. a situation that is confused and full of problems: "the economy is still in a terrible mess" Similar plightpredicamentemergencytight spottight cornerdifficultystraitstroublequandarydilemmaproblemmuddlemix-upconfusioncomplicationimbroglioentanglementmireinformal:jamfixpicklestewhot waterholepretty/fine kettle of fishscrapemuddlebotchbunglewreckinformal:hashmuckfoul-upscrew-upcock-upshamblesomnishamblescar crashsnafuvulgar slang:fuck-upballs-up
   • ▪ a person whose life is confused and full of problems: "he needs treatment of some kind—he's a real mess"
   • 3. a portion of semi-liquid food: "a mess of mashed black beans and rice"
   • 4. a building or room providing meals and recreational facilities for members of the armed forces: "the sergeants' mess"
   • 5. a large amount or quantity of: informal North American "big-time outfits that do a mess of printing"

   verb

   • 1. make untidy or dirty: "she scratched her head, messing her hair still further"
   • ▪ (of a domestic animal) defecate: "they had some problems with dogs messing in the store"
   • ▪ make dirty by defecating: "he feared he would mess the bed"
   • 2. have one's meals with a particular person, especially as a member of an armed forces' mess: "I messed at first with Harry, who became a lifelong friend"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French mes ‘portion of food’, from late Latin missum ‘something put on the table’, past participle of mittere ‘send, put’. The original sense was ‘a serving of (semi-liquid) food’, later ‘liquid food for an animal’; this gave rise (early 19th century) to the senses ‘unappetizing concoction’ and ‘predicament’, on which sense 1 is based. In late Middle English the term also denoted any of the small groups into which the company at a banquet was divided (who were served from the same dishes); hence, ‘a group who regularly eat together’ (recorded in military use from the mid 16th century).

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • M

     3

   • E

     1

   • S

     1

   • S

     1

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2. People also ask

   What does mess mean?

   • Get a quick, free translation! MESS definition: 1. Mess or a mess is something or someone that looks dirty or untidy: 2. an animal's solid waste…. Learn more.

   MESS | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

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   What does it mean if a situation is a mess?

   • If you say that a situation is a mess, you mean that it is full of trouble or problems. You can also say that something is in a mess . I've made such a mess of my life. ...the many reasons why the economy is in such a mess. She'd got herself into a mess, of that he was certain.

   MESS definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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   What does it mean if a room was in a mess?

   • The room was in a mess. a person or thing that is dirty, untidy, or disordered. My affairs are in a mess. She got into a mess driving without a license. a mess of papers.

   MESS Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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   What does messes mean?

   • mess (plural messes) ( obsolete) Mass; a church service. ( archaic) A quantity of food set on a table at one time; provision of food for a person or party for one meal; also, the food given to an animal at one time.

   mess - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

   en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mess

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3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishMESS | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Learn the meaning of mess as a noun and a verb, with synonyms, idioms and phrasal verbs. See how to use mess in different contexts, such as dirt, problems, room and military.

   • English (US)

     MESS meaning: 1. Mess or a mess is something or someone that...

   • Znaczenie Mess, Definicja W Cambridge English Dictionary

     MESS definicja: 1. Mess or a mess is something or someone...

   • Mess Spanish Translation

     MESS translate: desorden, desastre, sucio/ia...

   • Mess: Russian Translation

     MESS translate: беспорядок , неприятность, путаница ,...

   • Mesozoic

     Mesozoic definition: 1. from or referring to the period of...

   • Mesothorax

     Examples of how to use “mesothorax” in a sentence from...

   • Mess: Malay Translation

     MESS translate: kucar kacir, campur tangan. Learn more in...

   • Mess: Indonesian Translation

     mess translate: kekalutan, campur tangan. Learn more in the...

4. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › messMess Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › mess

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word mess as a noun and a verb, with synonyms, examples, and related articles. Find out how to pronounce, spell, and distinguish mess from other words.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryMESS | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

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   MESS meaning: 1. Mess or a mess is something or someone that looks dirty or untidy: 2. an animal's solid waste…. Learn more.

6. www.dictionary.com › browse › messMESS Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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   noun. a dirty, untidy, or disordered condition: The room was in a mess. Antonyms: order. a person or thing that is dirty, untidy, or disordered. a state of embarrassing confusion: My affairs are in a mess. Synonyms: muddle, hodgepodge, farrago, confusion, disarray, disorder. an unpleasant or difficult situation:

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitionmess noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation and usage of the word mess as a noun in English. Mess can mean an untidy state, a difficult situation, a person, animal waste, a lot or a mess hall.

8. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishMESS definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation, and usage of the word 'mess' in British and American English. Find synonyms, examples, idioms, and related words for 'mess'.

9. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › messMess - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › mess

   A mess is a generally dirty state, like your bedroom, your hair, or anything else that's untidy. If you make a huge mess when you cook, you probably try to get someone else to do the clean-up.