unkept
Left to deteriorate
Unkept means not maintained, cared for, or honored.
An unkept lawn is overgrown and neglected; an unkept promise is one that was broken or never fulfilled.
The word applies to physical spaces, appearances, and obligations alike.
The cottage had an unkept, abandoned look about it.
Though sometimes confused with unkempt, unkept emphasizes neglect of duty or maintenance rather than mere dishevelment.
Untidy in appearance
- tousledDisordered, especially hair
- rumpledCrinkled from neglect
- scruffyMessily neglected in appearance
- shaggyLong, coarse, untidy
bedraggled · mussed · tangled · windblown · straggly · matted · uncombed · ragged
Not kept in repair
- uncared-forLacking attention or maintenance
- unattendedLacking supervision or care
- deterioratedBecame worse over time
- dilapidatedRuined through neglect
shabby · decrepit · disrepair · run-down · forsaken · forgotten · ignored · abandoned
Lacking order or neatness
- clutteredCrowded with disorder
- disorganizedLacking systematic arrangement
- sloppyCareless and untidy
- chaoticTotally without arrangement
jumbled · haphazard · scattered · disorderly · shambolic · littered · muddled · disarray
unkempt
Untidy in appearance
- tousledDisordered, especially hair
- rumpledCrinkled from neglect
- scruffyMessily neglected in appearance
shaggy · bedraggled · mussed · tangled · windblown · straggly · matted · uncombed · ragged · slovenly
unmaintained
Not kept in repair
- uncared-forLacking attention or maintenance
- unattendedLacking supervision or care
- deterioratedBecame worse over time
dilapidated · shabby · decrepit · disrepair · run-down · forsaken · forgotten · ignored · abandoned · derelict
messy
Lacking order or neatness
- clutteredCrowded with disorder
- disorganizedLacking systematic arrangement
- sloppyCareless and untidy
chaotic · jumbled · haphazard · scattered · disorderly · shambolic · littered · muddled · disarray · topsy-turvy
weedy
Overgrown with unwanted plants
unpruned · uncleared · tangled · brambled · jungle-like · bushy · scraggly · rank · rampant · choked
grimy
Coated in stubborn dirt
stained · dusty · dingy · smudged · mucky · unwashed · unclean · spotted · sullied · tarnished