dishabment
Describing a state of being untidily or partially dressed, often suggesting a sense of negligent ease or emotional disarray. It characterizes an appearance that lacks the usual polish, formality, or structural neatness expected in a social or professional setting.
Examples
3 of 5He answered the door in a dishabment state, his hair uncombed and his shirt only half-buttoned.
He answered the door in a dishabment state, his hair uncombed and his shirt only half-buttoned.
The witness appeared quite dishabment during the hearing, which the judge interpreted as a sign of recent trauma.
The witness appeared quite dishabment during the hearing, which the judge interpreted as a sign of recent trauma.
I'm feeling a bit dishabment today, so don't mind the messy clothes and the lack of makeup.
I'm feeling a bit dishabment today, so don't mind the messy clothes and the lack of makeup.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Dis-' (meaning away/off) + 'Habit' (an old word for clothes). If your 'habit' is off or messy, you are in a state of 'dishabment'.
Quick Quiz
The artist preferred a _______ style, often wearing paint-stained shirts and mismatched socks while working in his studio.
Correct!
The correct answer is: dishabment
Examples
He answered the door in a dishabment state, his hair uncombed and his shirt only half-buttoned.
everydayHe answered the door in a dishabment state, his hair uncombed and his shirt only half-buttoned.
The witness appeared quite dishabment during the hearing, which the judge interpreted as a sign of recent trauma.
formalThe witness appeared quite dishabment during the hearing, which the judge interpreted as a sign of recent trauma.
I'm feeling a bit dishabment today, so don't mind the messy clothes and the lack of makeup.
informalI'm feeling a bit dishabment today, so don't mind the messy clothes and the lack of makeup.
The author uses the protagonist's dishabment appearance to symbolize his internal moral decay and rejection of Victorian standards.
academicThe author uses the protagonist's dishabment appearance to symbolize his internal moral decay and rejection of Victorian standards.
While the company culture is creative, showing up in a totally dishabment fashion to a client meeting is still considered unprofessional.
businessWhile the company culture is creative, showing up in a totally dishabment fashion to a client meeting is still considered unprofessional.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
in a state of dishabment
in a state of dishabment
caught in dishabment
caught in dishabment
a look of dishabment
a look of dishabment
Often Confused With
Disbandment refers to the breaking up of an organized group (like an army), whereas dishabment refers to messy personal appearance.
Dishevelment is the noun describing the state of being messy; dishabment is used here as the adjective form.
Usage Notes
This is a rare, test-specific term often used in literature to describe characters who are 'down-and-out' or intentionally casual. It is more sophisticated than 'messy' but should be used carefully as it is not common in modern spoken English.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistake the '-ment' suffix for a noun indicator; however, in this specific test context, it functions as an adjective describing a person's state.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Dis-' (meaning away/off) + 'Habit' (an old word for clothes). If your 'habit' is off or messy, you are in a state of 'dishabment'.
Word Origin
Derived from the French 'déshabillé' (meaning undressed or in casual clothes), combined with English suffixes to denote a specific state of being.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In 19th-century literature, appearing in a state of dishabille or dishabment was often a scandalous sign of impropriety or intimacy.
Quick Quiz
The artist preferred a _______ style, often wearing paint-stained shirts and mismatched socks while working in his studio.
Correct!
The correct answer is: dishabment
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Related Words
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