NYT Dictionary

UNKEMPT

/ˌʌnˈkɛmpt/

Adjectiveun-KEMPTun-kempt · 2 syllablesGrade 8

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2025

Meaning

uncombed, dishevelled.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

From earlier unkembed, unkemmed, from Middle English unkempt (“uncombed”), equivalent to un- + kempt. Compare Old Norse úkembdr (uncombed; unkempt"; whence Icelandic ókembdur), German ungekämmt (“unkempt”), Dutch ongekamd. More at kemb.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

dishevelledslovenlyraggedbedraggledblowsydowdydowdyishdown at heeldowngonequalifier

Antonyms

cleanfoppishneatorderlystylishtidy

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles, including a pangram:

2025-05-21TUEPMKN
2023-04-10METNKPU