Unkempt vs unkept: easy ways to remember the difference

The words UNKEMPT and UNKEPT are easy to confuse because of their similarity. But there are important differences in their meanings, which you don’t want to get wrong!

Here are my simple tips to remember the difference between UNKEMPT and UNKEPT.

When to use UNKEMPT

UNKEMPT is an adjective that describes something messy or dishevelled. It’s often used to describe hair, or someone’s appearance.

It can be used in a sentence like this:

“He rolled out of bed, his hair UNKEMPT.”

When to use UNKEPT

UNKEPT is an adjective that describes something neglected and uncared for. It also relates to broken promises or commitments.

It can be used in a sentence like this:

“The garden used to be beautiful. Today it’s overgrown and UNKEPT.”

While UNKEMPT and UNKEPT can relate to appearance, UNKEMPT is commonly used to describe people, while UNKEPT is more often used to describe places.

To help you remember the difference, think of the M in UNKEMPT and uncoMbed – and the fact that both words sound similar.

Now you know the difference between UNKEMPT and UNKEPT. I hope these tips help you to remember the difference between these commonly confused words in the future.

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