noun · A2

Mess

MES/mes/

A mess is an untidy or dirty state, or a difficult situation: a terrible mess, leave a mess, in a mess. Untidy describes the room; a mess is the result. Tidy is the opposite idea. Mass is a large amount — different. Do not write mess when you mean mass, or miss.

Meaning

An untidy or dirty state, or a difficult situation.

Examples

“Please do not leave a mess in the shared kitchen.”
“The kitchen was a mess after we cooked for six.”
“I am in a mess with this online form — can you help?”

Good to know

leave a mess / in a mess. Opposite idea: tidy. Mix-up: mass, miss.

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