Meaning & use
messes
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“messes” is a form of “mess”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Plural of 'mess': dirty or untidy states, or situations full of confusion or problems.
Grammar: Plural form of the countable noun 'mess'; used with plural verbs.
Patterns
- make messes
- clean up messes
The children made messes all over the living room.
He always leaves messes in the kitchen after cooking.
The company had to clean up the messes left by the previous manager.
verbtransitive
Third-person singular of 'mess': makes something dirty or untidy, or interferes with something.
Grammar: Takes an object: messes something up.
Patterns
- messes up something
- messes with something
She messes up her room every time she looks for clothes.
He messes with the settings on my computer, and then I can't find anything.
The dog messes on the carpet if we don't walk him.
Common combinations
- make a mess
- The kids made a mess in the kitchen.
- a complete mess
- After the party, the house was a complete mess.
- mess up
- I really messed up the presentation.
- mess with
- Don't mess with the wires; they're dangerous.
Synonyms and how they differ
- clutter
- Clutter refers to an untidy collection of things, often in a confined space; 'mess' is broader and can also mean a chaotic situation.
- chaos
- Chaos implies a state of complete disorder; 'mess' is less extreme and often more physical.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: messes or misses?
messes vs misses
'Misses' is the plural of 'miss' or third-person of 'miss' (to fail to hit or to feel sad about absence), while 'messes' is from 'mess' (dirt or disorder).
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
The correct sentence uses 'a mess' (singular) with the verb 'makes' (third-person singular). 'Messes' is plural and cannot follow 'a'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “messes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.