MESS Meaning and
Definition
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Mess can refer to a noun or a verb, each with distinct definitions. As a noun, it typically denotes a state of disorder, untidiness, or chaos. It can describe a cluttered or untidy space, be it a physical area or an abstract situation. For instance, it can represent a messy room, a messy desk filled with scattered papers, or a messy argument fraught with confusion and disarray. Furthermore, it can be used to emphasize a difficult or chaotic situation, such as a tangled mess of wires or a mess of conflicting opinions.
Additionally, mess can refer to a serving of food, specifically in military contexts. It denotes a portion or allocation of food provided to a group of people, often soldiers or a mess hall (a dining facility). A mess typically includes various dishes and is shared by multiple individuals within a specific setting.
As a verb, mess signifies the act of making a place or situation untidy or disorganized. For instance, if someone untidies or causes disorder in their surroundings, they are said to be messing up or making a mess. It can also mean to handle or manipulate something carelessly or improperly, leading to disarray or mismanagement. Additionally, mess can denote interfering in someone's personal affairs, causing confusion or disruption.
Overall, whether as a noun or a verb, mess typically refers to disorder, untidiness, chaos, or confusion, often extending to physical, abstract, or even interpersonal domains.
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• A dish of food; a quantity of food prepared for a certain number of persons; a mixed mass; in the army and navy, a number of persons who eat together.
• To eat together at a common table; to supply with a mess.
• A mixture disagreeable to the sight or taste; untidiness; disorder; a situation of distress or difficulty.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for MESS *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for MESS
Etymology of MESS
The term "mess" has its origins in the Old French word "mes", meaning a portion of food. It entered English in the 14th century and initially referred to a small portion of food served at a meal. Over time, the meaning of "mess" expanded to include a group of individuals who ate together and shared a communal meal. Eventually, it came to refer to a military dining hall, particularly in naval contexts. From there, the term gained a broader meaning of disorder or confusion, which is the primary usage today.
Idioms with the word MESS
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mess sth up
The idiom "mess sth up" means to ruin, disrupt, or cause disorder or chaos to something. It implies making a mistake or causing a problem that negatively affects a situation, plan, or outcome.
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mess sb up
The idiom "mess sb up" means to cause someone emotional or psychological damage, often resulting in confusion, distress, or dysfunctional behavior. It can also refer to physically harming someone.
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mess up
The idiom "mess up" means to make a mistake, mishandle or ruin something, or to cause confusion or disorder.
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mess sm over
The idiom "mess someone over" means to deceive, betray, or mistreat someone, often for personal gain or advantage. It implies intentionally harming or sabotaging someone's interests, plans, or relationships, causing them trouble, inconvenience, or harm.
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mess with sb
The idiom "mess with someone" means to provoke, interfere, or cause trouble for someone, often with the intention of intimidating, annoying, or challenging them. It generally refers to engaging in actions that could potentially irritate or disrupt someone's life or well-being.
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mess with (one's) head
The idiom "mess with (one's) head" means to cause confusion, disorient or unsettle someone mentally or emotionally. It refers to actions or situations that disrupt or disturb a person's thoughts, feelings, or perception of reality.
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mess with someone's head
The idiom "mess with someone's head" means to confuse or manipulate someone mentally or emotionally, often leading to them feeling troubled, anxious, or uncertain. It involves intentionally playing mind games or engaging in psychological tactics to make someone question their thoughts, perceptions, or beliefs.
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mess around with someone
The idiom "mess around with someone" refers to engaging in casual or deceitful behavior with another person, often involving manipulation, dishonesty, or playing with their emotions. It signifies toying or fooling around with someone's feelings or actions, usually not in a sincere or serious manner.
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mess around with something mess about with something
The idiom "mess around with something" or "mess about with something" means to handle or play with something, often in a careless or nonchalant manner, without any serious purpose or outcome. It can also imply experimenting or tampering with something without any clear objective or intention.
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mess with sm or sth
The idiom "mess with someone or something" means to bother, interfere, or provoke someone or something, often with negative intentions or consequences. It can also imply engaging in a potentially risky or dangerous situation.
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a mess of sth
The idiom "a mess of something" typically means a large or chaotic quantity of things or a situation in a state of disorder or confusion. It is often used to describe a situation or an arrangement that is jumbled, disorganized, or difficult to comprehend or manage.
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make a mess of sth
The idiom "make a mess of something" means to do something very poorly or inefficiently, resulting in a chaotic or disorganized situation. It refers to the act of creating confusion, disorder, or a botched outcome.
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not mess about
The idiom "not mess about" means to act promptly, efficiently, or decisively, without wasting time or engaging in unnecessary distractions or delays. It implies that one is focused, serious, and determined to accomplish a task or goal in a direct manner.
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get out of a mess
The idiom "get out of a mess" means to find a way to resolve or escape from a difficult or problematic situation. It implies successfully navigating through a tricky or complicated circumstance, often through one's own efforts or resourcefulness.
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hell of a mess
The idiom "hell of a mess" is used to describe a situation that is extremely chaotic, disorganized, or difficult to resolve. It conveys the idea of a very challenging or troublesome predicament.
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get sth into a mess
The idiom "get something into a mess" means to create a situation or condition that is disorderly, confused, or complicated. It suggests that the person or subject involved has become entangled or overwhelmed by their actions, leading to a state of confusion or difficulty.
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not mess around
The idiom "not mess around" means to avoid wasting time, getting straight to the point, or taking swift and decisive action. It implies a serious, determined, or no-nonsense approach in dealing with a task or situation.
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a hell of a mess
The idiom "a hell of a mess" is used to describe a situation or problem that is extremely chaotic, complicated, or difficult to resolve. It emphasizes the severity or gravity of the mess, often suggesting a state of disarray, confusion, or complete disorder.
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sell (one's) birthright for a mess of pottage
The idiom "sell one's birthright for a mess of pottage" refers to making a foolish or hasty decision, sacrificing something valuable for immediate gratification or temporary gain. It originates from the biblical story of Esau in the Book of Genesis, who sold his birthright (inheritance as the first-born son) to his brother Jacob in exchange for a bowl of lentil stew (pottage). This idiom implies that one is giving up long-term benefits or important principles for short-term, insignificant rewards.
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mess with sth
The idiom "mess with something" refers to the act of interfering, tampering, or causing disruption to something, often without good reason. It can also imply provoking or challenging something or someone.
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(whole) mess of sm or sth
The idiom "(whole) mess of sm or sth" refers to a large amount or quantity of something. It implies that there is a disorganized and chaotic situation or a significant number of things. It can be used to describe something overwhelming, excessive, or difficult to manage.
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mess around
The idiom "mess around" typically means to engage in aimless or frivolous activities, often resulting in wasting time or causing trouble. It can also refer to casual or non-committal behavior in a romantic or personal relationship.
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mess about with someone
The idiom "mess about with someone" typically means to engage in playful or flirtatious activities with someone without any serious intentions. It can also refer to casually spending time with someone without any clear purpose or commitment.
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mess around with
The idiom "mess around with" means to engage or interact with something or someone casually, often without any serious intention or commitment. It can also imply experimenting or tinkering with something without a clear purpose or goal.
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mess with the bull and you get the horns
The idiom "mess with the bull and you get the horns" means that if you engage in risky or confrontational behavior, you are likely to face negative consequences or retaliation. It emphasizes the potential dangers or repercussions of provoking or challenging someone or something stronger or more formidable.
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mess someone’s face up
The idiom "mess someone's face up" means to physically harm or injure someone, typically by causing severe damage to their face or appearance. It implies a violent act that can result in disfigurement or significant facial injuries.
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mess around with (someone or something)
The idiom "mess around with someone or something" means to engage in casual or light-hearted interactions, experiments, or activities with someone or something, often without serious intentions or commitment. It can refer to playful teasing, experimenting, or having a casual relationship without any long-term commitment. The term can also imply meddling or tampering with something, often with a negative or mischievous connotation.
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get into a mess
The idiom "get into a mess" means to become involved in a difficult, complicated, or troublesome situation or problem. It often signifies being caught in a predicament or experiencing troubles due to one's actions or circumstances.
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a hot mess
The idiom "a hot mess" refers to a situation, thing, or person that is extremely disorganized, chaotic, or out of control. It typically implies a state of confusion or disorder.
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mess around with sb
The idiom "mess around with someone" refers to engaging in casual or non-committal romantic or sexual activities with someone without any serious intention or commitment. It often implies a lack of emotional investment or the absence of a genuine relationship.
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mess about
The idiom "mess about" typically means to waste time, behave in a frivolous or aimless manner, or engage in activities without any particular purpose or result. It can also refer to tinkering with something or handling it carelessly or inefficiently.
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mess around mess about
The idiom "mess around" or "mess about" is generally used to describe engaging in activities in a frivolous or aimless manner, often without achieving any meaningful or productive outcome. It implies engaging in casual or unimportant actions without a specific purpose or goal.
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mess around with sth
The idiom "mess around with something" means to engage in activities involving or involving oneself with something in an experimental, casual, or careless manner, often without any serious commitment or purpose. It can also imply playing with or tampering with something without regard for potential consequences.
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mess sm up
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mess sm's face up
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mess face up
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make a mess/hash of something/of doing something
To make a mess/hash of something/of doing something means to handle a situation in a careless or disorderly way, resulting in mistakes or chaos.
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a Benjamin's portion (or mess)
A Benjamin's portion (or mess) is an extra large portion of food or an overly generous portion, often enough to feed more than one person. This phrase references the Biblical figure Benjamin, who was given five times as much food as his brothers at a banquet hosted by Joseph.
Similar spelling words for MESS
- MSU,
- MIS/SIS,
- MISO,
- MEZ,
- Mazey,
- ME2S2,
- messiah,
- MES-FET,
- MS2,
- EG-MMS,
- MISCI,
- MIAAS,
- MSCI,
- meows,
- Macee,
- MAS,
- mousey,
- HWMHS,
- MIASI,
- MASAYU,
- MSAA,
- MSY,
- Mase,
- MEK,
- MOSO,
- mews,
- ADP-MIS,
- MES-MET,
- MHEOWS,
- Missae,
- Massawa,
- Meeks,
- HR-MAS,
- MOSSI,
- Massie,
- MMUS,
- mays,
- MMHOS,
- MWSS,
- meek,
- MAS/MAP,
- MASS-NMR,
- MOS-C,
- Masao,
- Mousa,
- 2MASS,
- HMIS,
- MASU,
- MEUs,
- MSA,
- Macie,
- MCE,
- Maisa,
- Massey,
- MCIA,
- ACD/MIS,
- MO/MOSI2,
- MSE-TPN,
- MMIS-CE,
- MMAAWS,
- Mias,
- MWS,
- MEPF-MAS,
- WMMS,
- MZA,
- HMS,
- CQ-MOS,
- MAAS,
- MAES,
- Misu,
- HMS/D,
- MCA/MSA,
- MMAAZ,
- masai,
- MOSA,
- WMS,
- MAS-AT,
- MSW,
- MSS,
- Mizzy,
- HIRS/MSU,
- HMOS,
- D.Miss.,
- MOSI2/SI,
- missy,
- masse,
- M1S,
- meg,
- MOSZ,
- MHSAA,
- Moisse,
- Maisy,
- WMMZ,
- MMIS-EE,
- Mosie,
- MES-SIG,
- Misy,
- MS04,
- Mawusi,
- MYS,
- Missie,
- MIAWS,
- Musae,
- Mes-,
- MI2S,
- MOS-FET,
- COS/MOS,
- MMES,
- FF-MAS,
- AIRS/MHS,
- MIOSA,
- MACEW,
- MEWES,
- MOCE,
- Mice,
- Mose,
- MOZ,
- MMSAI,
- MEIS,
- Macy,
- MAS-NMR,
- MIZ,
- MSA1,
- FAB-MAS,
- DL/MSU,
- NDE/MIS,
- MHASS,
- Mies,
- ME2SE2,
- HMHSE,
- meggs,
- MES/ERP,
- Mosiah,
- mass,
- MUZE,
- ME2S,
- MOS/LSI,
- meese,
- MHS,
- MOS-CCD,
- Mazie,
- mesua,
- MUZ,
- Mosi,
- mousy,
- MAS-AS,
- MZE,
- Mis-,
- Maysa,
- LQ-MOS,
- MZI,
- mesa,
- Misa,
- MAESA,
- Maceo,
- DFN-MHS,
- MAWS,
- HMHS,
- mesh,
- Massy,
- Maicy,
- Mos,
- MOSI2/NB,
- Maci,
- masa,
- MAS/C,
- MASI,
- moss,
- muss,
- meq,
- MIUWSU,
- Mousie,
- Mazi,
- MAASS,
- MJS,
- MISSE,
- maze,
- MIUS,
- MEAWS,
- MOUS,
- MIZZOU,
- MASY,
- MIS/DP,
- MASO,
- messy,
- MHASA,
- MCZ,
- miss,
- MOSI2/TA,
- Mesi,
- MMUHS,
- AEF&MSO,
- MCI,
- MOAS,
- MMS-UK,
- MMSY,
- MESSA,
- MAOSS,
- Meso-,
- MSE,
- EG-MHS,
- HMMS,
- MAEES,
- muse,
- moose,
- MIUES,
- MCI/MI,
- MAZ,
- maize,
- mosey,
- MAZO,
- Moise,
- MOIZE,
- mouse,
- MOOSA,
- moos,
- QEM/MSE,
- MMS-C,
- MIIS,
- MSIA,
- MUSEE,
- mussy,
- MOESI,
- HMHIS,
- MMUSE,
- MAOS,
- meuse,
- Maicey,
- MOHS,
- musa,
- HMSS,
- meza,
- Mayes,
- Maisey,
- MESE,
- MD-MOS,
- mezz,
- MSO,
- DEC/MMS,
- Missay,
- HMAS,
- Macey,
- MMSE,
- MAASE,
- Mise,
- meigs,
- MHSE,
- mousse,
- HERL/MIS,
- MOIZA,
- Missa,
- CA/MSAW,
- mus,
- mezzo,
- MCII,
- Maisee,
- MICIE,
- Misway,
- MISSI,
- Mesia,
- mossy,
- ME2SO2,
- musci,
- W/WMS,
- MMSI,
- MACZ,
- MEESA,
- IDS-MIS,
- Mease,
- MMAWS,
- MAUS,
- MOIZZ,
- Maizie,
- mhz,
- HMWES,
- MMS,
- MECZ,
- muzzy,
- MEOS,
- Maisie,
- MASEA,
- Muce,
- MSI,
- HMS/TRAC,
- MISI,
- myaceae,
- HMS/DS,
- mace,
- MOS/NEC,
- MSSA,
- Mzee,
- Cup-moss,
- MEAS,
- HMISE,
- mazy,
- MHSA,
- HMSO.
Conjugate verb Mess
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have messed
you
would have messed
he/she/it
would have messed
we
would have messed
they
would have messed
I
would have mess
you
would have mess
he/she/it
would have mess
we
would have mess
they
would have mess
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been messing
you
would have been messing
he/she/it
would have been messing
we
would have been messing
they
would have been messing
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would mess
you
would mess
he/she/it
would mess
we
would mess
they
would mess
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be messing
you
would be messing
he/she/it
would be messing
we
would be messing
they
would be messing
FUTURE
I
will mess
you
will mess
he/she/it
will mess
we
will mess
they
will mess
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be messing
you
will be messing
he/she/it
will be messing
we
will be messing
they
will be messing
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have messed
you
will have messed
he/she/it
will have messed
we
will have messed
they
will have messed
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been messing
you
will have been messing
he/she/it
will have been messing
we
will have been messing
they
will have been messing
IMPERATIVE
you
mess
we
let´s mess
to mess
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was messing
you
were messing
he/she/it
was messing
we
were messing
they
were messing
PAST PARTICIPLE
messed
PAST PERFECT
I
had messed
you
had messed
he/she/it
had messed
we
had messed
they
had messed
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been messing
you
had been messing
he/she/it
had been messing
we
had been messing
they
had been messing
PRESENT
I
mess
you
mess
he/she/it
messes
we
mess
they
mess
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am messing
you
are messing
he/she/it
is messing
we
are messing
they
are messing
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
messing
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have messed
you
have messed
he/she/it
has messed
we
have messed
they
have messed
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been messing
you
have been messing
he/she/it
has been messing
we
have been messing
they
have been messing
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
mess
SIMPLE PAST
I
messed
you
messed
he/she/it
messed
we
messed
they
messed
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