a dirty, untidy, or disordered condition

The room was in a mess.

a person or thing that is dirty, untidy, or disordered.

a state of embarrassing confusion

My affairs are in a mess.

an unpleasant or difficult situation

She got into a mess driving without a license.

a dirty or untidy mass, litter, or jumble

a mess of papers.

a group regularly taking their meals together.

the meal so taken.

mess hall.

Naval . messroom.

a quantity of food sufficient for a dish or a single occasion

to pick a mess of sweet corn for dinner.

a sloppy or unappetizing preparation of food.

a dish or quantity of soft or liquid food

to cook up a nice mess of pottage.

a person whose life or affairs are in a state of confusion, esp. a person with a confused or disorganized moral or psychological outlook.

to make dirty or untidy (often fol. by up )

Don't mess the room.

to make a mess or muddle of (affairs, responsibilities, etc.) (often fol. by up )

They messed the deal.

to supply with meals, as military personnel.

to treat roughly; beat up (usually followed by up )

The gang messed him up.

to eat in company, esp. as a member of a mess.

to make a dirty or untidy mess. ?

mess around or about,

Informal . to busy oneself without purpose or plan; work aimlessly or halfheartedly; putter.

Informal . to waste time; loaf.

Informal . to meddle or interfere.

Informal . to involve or associate oneself, esp. for immoral or unethical purposes

His wife accused him of messing around with gamblers.

Slang . to trifle sexually; philander.

mess in or with, to intervene officiously; meddle

You'll get no thanks for messing in the affairs of others.

mess up,

to make dirty, untidy, or disordered.

to make muddled, confused, etc.; make a mess of; spoil; botch.

to perform poorly; bungle

She messed up on the final exam.

verb

arrange , order , organize , tidy

verb

befoul , besmirch , bobble , bollix , botch , bungle , clutter , confuse , damage , derange , destroy , disarrange , discompose , dishevel , disorganize , disturb , foul , goof up * , gum up , jumble , litter , louse up , muddle , pollute , ruin , rummage , scramble , screw up * , smear , soil , spoil , unsettle , upset , mess