mainly US informal (UK mess up) to make something untidy: Don't you dare mess my hair! [ I ] to leave solid waste somewhere: The neighbour's dog has messed on ...
a · 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.
beaten up; looking disarrayed. confused and unhappy. intoxicated with alcohol or narcotics. Advertisement. Word of the Day. December 01, 2025. consanguinity.
messed up · 1. Not functioning or operating properly; damaged or injured. · 2. In disorder, confusion, or ruin; mishandled or bungled. · 3. Morally repugnant or ...
The main difference between the two is that 'mess something' is a transitive verb whereas 'messed something up' is a phrasal. They are interchangeable as well.