untidiness
|un-ti-di-ness|
/ʌnˈtɪdɪnəs/
lack of order or neatness
Etymology
'untidiness' is formed in modern English from the negative prefix 'un-' + the adjective 'tidy' + the noun-forming suffix '-ness'.
'tidy' comes from Middle English 'tidy' (meaning 'seasonable, fit') and Old English 'tidig' (from 'tid' meaning 'time'); the prefix 'un-' and suffix '-ness' are Old English in origin and were combined with 'tidy' to form 'untidiness' in later English.
Originally, 'tidy' related to being timely or fitting; over time its sense shifted to neatness and order, and 'untidiness' came to mean the absence of that neatness or order.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or quality of being untidy; disorder or messiness in appearance or arrangement.
Her untidiness was obvious from the clothes scattered across the floor.
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Noun 2
a lack of neatness or careful organization in behavior, thought, or procedure (figurative use).
The report's untidiness made the conclusions hard to follow.
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Last updated: 2025/09/26 17:31