hot mess
/ˌhɑt ˈmɛs/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.47 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
1
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A warm meal, usually cooked in a large pot, often similar to a stew or porridge; service of such a heated meal to soldiers.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
A disheveled or unbalanced person, particularly one who is nevertheless, or therefore, attractive.
American usage; Informal
Example Sentences
- ""Smallbones," said the lieutenant, after trying the hot mess before him, and finding that he was still in danger of burning his mouth, "bring me the red-herring.""
- "1 lb. pemican; ¼ lb. pork; ¾ lb. biscuit; ¼ lb flour or bread dust, to mix with pemican into a hot mess;"
- "I heard several of the enlisted men make the statement that Company C had provided hot mess for fully a thousand men of other units during the second day of the recent drive in and around Cheppy and Charpentry."
- "He provided for a hot mess and he got the men up off the floor with improvised bunks."
- "The men there would have settled for a Coleman stove and a hot-mess line, but the greatest contribution to their spirits, plus or minus, was mail call."
- "The politician's in a hot mess since the women got the vote -- his wife threatened not to vote for his candidate unless he wipes the dishes."
Etymology
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌhɑt ˈmɛs/
Usage
- Countable
- Uncountable
- American usage
- Informal
- Obsolete