mess
noun
\ ˈmes
\
\
Definition of mess
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a quantity of food:
a
archaic
: food set on a table at one time
b
: a prepared dish of soft food
also
: a mixture of ingredients cooked or eaten together
c
: enough food of a specified kind for a dish or a meal
picked a mess of peas for dinner
2a
: a group of persons who regularly take their meals together
every officer with a unit … is obliged to belong to a mess— S. G. Maurice
also
: a meal so taken
b
: a place where meals are regularly served to a group : mess hall
The soldiers marched to the mess for breakfast.
3a
: a disordered, untidy, offensive, or unpleasant state or condition
your room is in a mess
b
: one that is disordered, untidy, offensive, or unpleasant usually because of blundering, laxity, or misconduct
[the movie] is a mess, as sloppy in concept as it is in execution— Judith Crist
4
: a large quantity or number
They're in a mess of trouble.
mess
verb
messed;
messing;
messes
Definition of mess (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to provide with meals at a mess
2a
: to make dirty or untidy : disarrange
—often used with up don't mess up your room
b
: to mix up : bungle
—often used with up really messed up my life
3
: to interfere with
—often used with up magnetic storms that mess up communications — Time
4
: to rough up : manhandle
—often used with up mess him up good so he won't cheat us again
1
: to take meals with a mess
2
: to make a mess
b
: to handle or play with something especially carelessly
don't mess with my camera
—often used with around
4
: to become confused or make an error
—usually used with up