Understanding the Difference Between Disorganized and Unorganized

Difference Between Disorganized and Unorganized

Disorganized and unorganized are two words that can sometimes be confusing. They both talk about things not being in order. But they are not exactly the same. Let’s look at how they are different.

History of the Words

The word disorganized comes from the prefix “dis-” which means “not” or “the opposite of,” and “organized,” which means to put things in a neat order. So, disorganized means that something was in order but has become messy or chaotic.

The word unorganized comes from the prefix “un-” which also means “not.” So, unorganized means that something has never been in order. It was always messy.

How to Use Them

You can use disorganized when talking about something that has lost its order or neatness:

• His desk is very disorganized.
• She feels disorganized this morning.
• The papers were once clean but are now disorganized.
• After the party, the house was disorganized.
• The plan became disorganized.

You can use unorganized when talking about something that has never been in order:

• The pile of clothes is unorganized.
• He has always been unorganized.
• This project is still very unorganized.
• Her thoughts are unorganized.
• The team is unorganized.

Trick to Remember the Difference

A good trick to remember the difference is to think about the first letters:

• Dis-: Something was neat but is now messy.
• Un-: Something has never been neat.

Summary

Disorganized means that something was orderly but has become messy. Unorganized means that something has never been in order. Remembering these tips can help you use the words correctly.