# messy vs musty

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### messy
*adjective · IPA /ˈmɛsi/ · frequency rank #8,691*
In a disorderly state; chaotic; disorderly.

### musty
*adjective · IPA /ˈmʌsti/ · frequency rank #35,838*
Affected by dampness or mould; damp, mildewed, mouldy.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/messy-vs-musty