A situation or state of affairs that is confused or full of difficulties. The project turned into a mess after the team leader left.
A dirty or untidy state of things or of a place. The kitchen was a mess after the party.
A group of people, especially soldiers, who regularly eat meals together. The officers gathered in the mess for dinner.
A portion of food, especially soft or semi-liquid food. He prepared a mess of porridge for breakfast.
A person whose appearance, behavior, or emotional state is untidy or disordered. After staying up all night, he looked like a mess at the meeting.
A building or room where military personnel eat meals. Meet me in the mess at 1800 hours.
A large quantity or amount of something (chiefly North American, informal). I picked a mess of fresh beans from the garden.