adjective

disheveled

di-SHEV-uld/dɪˈʃɛvld/

Untidy or rumpled in appearance.

His hair looks disheveled after a walk in the wind.

An older man with visibly mussed hair and rumpled, unevenly arranged clothing, isolated against white so his untidy appearance is immediately readable.

Etymology

disOld Frenchapart

+hevelOld Frenchhair

+edOld Frenchpast-participle ending

The pieces describe hair put out of arrangement. The word developed from being without dressed hair to hair hanging loose in disorder, then broadened to an untidy appearance in clothing as well.

In context

GQ12:02

we're looking for more of that cool, effortless, disheveled look, and that is what we call textured. It actually creates a more subtle, piecy, rough look to the hair

Every Term Barbers Use and What They Actually Mean | GQ

More examples

She arrives at work looking disheveled but cheerful.
He smooths his disheveled shirt before the interview.
The children look disheveled after their afternoon nap.

Forms

disheveled

Similar words

unkempt: Suggests neglected grooming, especially hair that has not been combed.
rumpled: Focuses on wrinkles and creases, especially in clothing.
messy: Describes general disorder, not just a person's appearance.