somewhat messy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat messy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, object, or condition that is not completely organized or tidy, but not excessively so. Example: "The room was somewhat messy, with clothes strewn about and papers scattered on the desk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"So having long, somewhat messy hair is all a part of that".

The New York Times

There's a good mixture of both in these raw and somewhat messy poems.

The Guardian - Books

But here again, speed resulted in a somewhat messy and bangy whirlwind in the Prestissimo conclusion.

The New York Times

''We needed clear guidelines.'' However, establishing psychological safety is, by its very nature, somewhat messy and difficult to implement.

The New York Times - Magazine

His camera moves among young bodies like an invisible friend, and his somewhat messy narrative is propelled by fidelity to feeling rather than by the machinery of plot.

The New York Times

The Washington Square of Brooklyn turned out to be a cobblestoned and somewhat messy lane called Fort Greene Place, where Meyer Kornblum did a wholesale business in meats.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

If much of his football appeared as seamless and effortless as his ability to morph between fluent French, English and Arabic in the course of a single conversation, life off the field was somewhat messier.

The Guardian - Sport

By contrast, the voting that took place in the U.S. yesterday was a somewhat messier and generally lower-tech affair, with punch cards used in 28 states and 19% of all voters pulling levers on decades-old voting machines.

Forbes

This would be messy, somewhat inefficient and a lot fairer.

The New York Times

Altman told me that he led the B round at Reddit, a chronically disorganized YC graduate, because "you want to invest in messy, somewhat broken companies.

The New Yorker

The messy, somewhat ad hoc nature of McMahan's way of drawing the line is clearly a strike against it, as is the fact that it is clearly motivated by a desire to accommodate the moral intuition that killing is worse than letting die.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat messy" to describe abstract concepts like plans or situations, ensure the context provides a clear understanding of what constitutes 'messiness' in that scenario. For instance, "The political situation is somewhat messy due to conflicting interests."

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat messy" when describing situations that are clearly extremely chaotic or disorganized. The 'somewhat' implies a moderate level; for more severe cases, consider terms like 'completely chaotic' or 'utterly disorganized'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat messy" functions as an adverbial modifier of an adjective. It indicates the degree to which something is messy. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe conditions or situations that are not entirely tidy but not excessively chaotic.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "somewhat messy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something that is not entirely tidy, but also not overwhelmingly disorganized. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, from describing physical spaces to abstract situations. The primary contexts where you'll encounter it are news articles, wikis, and scientific publications, highlighting its versatility. When using "somewhat messy", be mindful not to overstate the level of disarray, and consider alternatives like "slightly disorganized" or "a bit untidy" for subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly disorganized

Indicates a minimal level of disorganization, less intense than "somewhat messy".

a bit untidy

Suggests a mild lack of tidiness, focusing on appearance rather than overall chaos.

rather cluttered

Implies that the space is filled with items in a disorganized way, which can equate to "somewhat messy".

a little chaotic

Emphasizes the lack of order and potential confusion, making it a stronger alternative.

moderately disarrayed

More formal; indicates things are out of their proper place, but not severely.

slightly disordered

Focuses on a lack of systematic arrangement, similar to disorganization.

somewhat disheveled

Often used to describe appearance; suggests a lack of grooming or neatness.

a touch jumbled

Conveys a mixed-up or confused state, less about cleanliness and more about arrangement.

mildly unkempt

Similar to disheveled, often used to describe appearance or general condition.

a tad slipshod

Implies a lack of care or attention to detail, resulting in a "somewhat messy" outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat messy" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat messy" to describe a situation, object, or condition that is not completely organized or tidy, but not excessively so. For example: "The room was somewhat messy, with clothes strewn about and papers scattered on the desk."

What are some alternatives to saying "somewhat messy"?

Alternatives include "slightly disorganized", "a bit untidy", or "rather cluttered", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "somewhat messy"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Somewhat" is an adverb that modifies the adjective "messy", indicating the degree of messiness.

When is it inappropriate to use "somewhat messy"?

It's inappropriate when the situation is far beyond a moderate level of disorganization. In such cases, using words like chaotic or utterly disorganized would be more fitting.