somewhat untidy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat untidy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or appearance that is not completely organized or neat, but not excessively messy either. Example: "The room was somewhat untidy, with clothes scattered on the floor and books piled on the desk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He was dressed in a somewhat untidy, brown sports jacket, and rather baggy grey trousers.

BBC

Untypically from such a delicately subtle player the goal was somewhat untidy.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In a new survey from the OfficeTeam staffing service, 68percentt of HR managers indicated it was at least somewhat all right for your desk to be untidy.

Huffington Post

"Tall, somewhat gaunt, aristocratic, very dignified: a strong, yet sensitive face, crowned by untidy locks of white hair … He leaned slightly forward, resting both hands on the chair in front of him … How long I looked I do not know, but … all the time he just stood motionless and gazed".

The Guardian - Books

An untidy cell.

The New York Times

All very untidy.

The New Yorker

And freedom's untidy.

The New York Times

I'm so untidy".

The New York Times - Arts

"It's so untidy!

The Guardian

He can be quite untidy.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Freedom's untidy," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat untidy" to describe a state that is noticeably but not excessively messy. It implies a degree of tolerance or acceptance of the disarray.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat untidy" when describing a completely chaotic or extremely dirty environment. Opt for stronger terms like "very messy" or "filthy" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat untidy" functions as an adjective phrase, where "somewhat" modifies the adjective "untidy". It serves to describe a noun with a degree of imprecision, indicating that something is not completely neat, but also not excessively messy, aligning with examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Sport

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "somewhat untidy" is used to describe something that is not perfectly neat but also not excessively messy. Ludwig AI affirms that it is correct and usable in written English, and it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. While only a few examples exist, it is considered grammatically sound and suitable for a neutral register. Alternatives include "a little messy" and "slightly disorganized". When using this phrase, ensure that the level of messiness aligns with the description; avoid using it for situations that are either extremely neat or extremely chaotic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little messy

Suggests a slight lack of cleanliness or order, focusing on visual appearance.

slightly disarranged

Emphasizes a minor disruption of order, implying things are not in their proper place.

somewhat disorganized

Highlights a lack of systematic arrangement, suitable for describing systems or plans.

a bit cluttered

Indicates a space filled with too many items, causing mild disorder.

not entirely neat

A more formal way of saying something is not perfectly tidy, suitable for polite descriptions.

a touch disordered

Implies a minimal level of disarray, softer than "untidy".

slightly chaotic

Suggests a mild state of confusion or lack of control, rather than just physical disarray.

passably unkempt

Describes something or someone not well-maintained or groomed, adding a sense of neglect.

moderately sloppy

Indicates a lack of care or attention to detail, resulting in a less refined state.

reasonably disheveled

Refers to a state of being rumpled or untidy, often used for appearances.

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat untidy" to describe something that is not perfectly neat but not excessively messy. For example: "The room was "somewhat untidy", with books and papers scattered around."

What's a good alternative to "somewhat untidy"?

Alternatives to "somewhat untidy" include phrases like "a little messy", "slightly disorganized", or "a bit cluttered", depending on the specific context.

Is "somewhat untidy" formal or informal?

"Somewhat untidy" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer a phrase like "not entirely neat".

What does "somewhat" mean in "somewhat untidy"?

In the phrase "somewhat untidy", "somewhat" acts as an adverb that means 'to a limited extent' or 'rather'. It softens the adjective "untidy", indicating that something is not completely untidy, but more than just a little.