Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
untidy
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
'untidy' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something that is not in order or neat. For example, "The room was in an untidy mess."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Encyclopedias
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
59 human-written examples
The whirling black shapes rise from their large untidy nests and out over the fields.
News & Media
Instead of weeding, organic growers encourage weed- killing legumes to grow around the trees, giving them an untidy look.
News & Media
Fittingly, the breakthrough arrived in untidy circumstances.
News & Media
Travelling mostly around northern England, Paul Farley and Michael Symmons Roberts, both of them British poets, find unexpected pleasures: a car gradually coming into view beneath the surface of a pond, like a photograph in a developing tray; children's dens; a herd of water buffalo .Edgelands" is sprawling and untidy, like its subject matter.
News & Media
When capital surges in, governments ought to tighten controls; when cash departs, controls can be relaxed.This seems a neat solution, reconciling the dream of free-flowing cash to the untidy reality of global finance.
News & Media
To the Frankfurt fair he sent agents, but also his wife Agnes, a plain and untidy young woman on the evidence of his drawings, but apparently a willing business partner, and eventually the sole inheritor of the 6,874-florin 6,874-florinft whestatedied in 1528.A masterpiece for nothengThis market, however, was evidentleftot one he could control.
News & Media
With interest rates low, an austerity-induced fall in inflation would increase real rates and weaken an already listless economy.In this section The road to Rome Huge mess, untidy solutions Firefighting Even splits Calves and cubs Dimon geezer Cut or loose ReprintsRising domestic confidence is not the only route to growth amid austerity.
News & Media
But, as Lawrence James says about the British variety in his book, "The Middle Class: A History", they are "a sprawling, untidy organism in a perpetual state of evolution".For example, Kellee Tsai, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, argues that there is no such thing as a coherent middle class in China.
News & Media
The area around the stadium is untidy and architecturally uninspired good for facilitating the movement of tens of thousands of football fans, but hardly a place to linger.
News & Media
"Perhaps I should have become a veterinarian," says Andy Rothman of CLSA.In this section The road to Rome Huge mess, untidy solutions Firefighting Even splits Calves and cubs Dimon geezer Cut or loose ReprintsThe source of China's growth is more worrying than its speed.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
1 human-written examples
The Future Group, India's largest retailer, has introduced "organised chaos" into its shops to make consumers feel at home, breaking up long aisles with untidy-looking displays.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "untidy" to characterize abstract concepts such as "untidy solutions" or "untidy circumstances" when you want to convey a situation that lacks neatness or order.
Common error
Avoid using "untidy" when you actually mean "dirty". "Untidy" refers to a lack of order, while "dirty" implies the presence of grime or filth. A room can be "untidy" without being "dirty", and vice versa.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The adjective "untidy" primarily functions as a descriptive word, modifying nouns to indicate a lack of neatness or order. Ludwig AI shows it's used across many contexts, denoting physical spaces, abstract situations, or even personal characteristics.
Frequent in
News & Media
58%
Science
18%
Encyclopedias
6%
Less common in
Formal & Business
1%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The word "untidy" functions as an adjective describing something that lacks order or neatness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Its related terms like "messy", "disorderly", and "disorganized" offer nuanced ways to express varying degrees of disarray. While often used in a neutral register across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, being mindful of its distinction from "dirty" ensures accurate and effective communication. Using "untidy" to describe abstract scenarios such as "untidy solutions" demonstrates its adaptability in conveying a lack of structured resolution.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
messy
Similar in meaning, implying a state of disorder.
disorderly
Focuses on the lack of systematic arrangement.
disorganized
Highlights the lack of structure and planning.
slovenly
Suggests a lack of care and attention to neatness.
scruffy
Implies a neglected or shabby appearance.
cluttered
Indicates an excessive amount of items in a space, creating disorder.
littered
Describes a space covered with scattered rubbish or debris.
unruly
Suggests a lack of control or discipline, leading to disorder.
shambolic
Emphasizes extreme disorganization and chaos.
muddled
Indicates a confused and disorganized state.
FAQs
How can I use "untidy" in a sentence?
You can use "untidy" to describe something that is not neat or organized. For example, "The room was in an untidy state" or "He had an untidy pile of papers on his desk."
What are some synonyms for "untidy"?
Alternatives to "untidy" include "messy", "disorderly", and "disorganized". The best choice depends on the specific context.
What is the difference between "untidy" and "messy"?
Is it correct to say "an untidy mess"?
Yes, "an untidy mess" is a common and acceptable phrase. It emphasizes the state of disorder and lack of neatness. The phrase is often used to describe a situation or place that is significantly disorganized.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested