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Bedraggled vs. unkempt: what’s the difference?

The short answer

Bedraggled implies being wet and dirty, often as a result of being in the rain or mud, while unkempt suggests general untidiness or lack of grooming without implying wetness.

What they have in common

Both words describe a state of disorder or untidiness, often related to appearance.

Examples

bedraggled

  • After walking through the rain, she arrived home bedraggled and cold.
  • The cat looked bedraggled after being caught in the storm.

unkempt

  • He appeared at the meeting in an unkempt suit, having forgotten to iron it.
  • Her hair was unkempt, suggesting she had just woken up.

Which one is more common?

Internet search results for “bedraggled” and “unkempt”

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