Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Neat and tidy in appearance, especially of hair: "Kempt" describes something, particularly hair, that is well-groomed, orderly, and clean. It is the opposite of unkempt.

Usage

• The word "kempt" is used to describe a person's hair, beard, or overall grooming that shows care and attention. It is less common than its opposite, "unkempt," and is often used in a slightly formal or literary context to emphasize neatness.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • He always appears with kempt hair and a pressed suit.
  • The actor's kempt beard was part of his signature look for the role.
  • Despite the long journey, she managed to keep her appearance surprisingly kempt.

Advanced Usage

• "Well-kempt": An emphatic form, though somewhat redundant as "kempt" already implies being well-groomed. It is used for added emphasis on the quality of care.
  • The garden was well-kempt, with not a single weed in sight. (Here, the meaning extends metaphorically from personal grooming to the maintenance of a space.)

Variants and Related Words

• Unkempt (adj): The much more common antonym, meaning messy, untidy, or not cared for.
  • His unkempt hair suggested he had just woken up.
• Kemptness (n): The state or quality of being kempt (rarely used).
  • The kemptness of the soldiers' uniforms was strictly enforced.

Synonyms

• Neat: Clean and tidy in appearance.
• Tidy: Arranged neatly and in order.
• Groomed: Made neat and tidy, especially through personal care.
• Well-groomed: Having a very neat and tidy appearance.

Antonyms

• Unkempt: Not neat or tidy; messy.
• Disheveled: Untidy, disordered, especially of hair or clothing.
• Messy: Dirty or untidy.
• Sloppy: Careless and unsystematic; untidy.

Adjective

1. (of hair) neat and tidy
   • a nicely kempt beard