verb

messed

to make untidy, to spoil, to interfere

The kids messed up the living room.

The kids messed up the living room.

She messed up on the final exam.

She messed up on the final exam.

Don't mess with the electrical wires.

Don't mess with the electrical wires.

to mess ((sth.)) up to make something untidy or spoil it The wind messed up my hair.

to mess ((with sb./sth.)) to interfere with someone or something You shouldn't mess with that machine.

Synonyms: disarrange, spoil; Antonyms: tidy, organize

From Old French 'mes' (a dish of food), which came to mean a mixture or jumble.

Imagine a 'messy' room, with things everywhere. 'To mess' is the action of creating that state.

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