1. Any situation or thing that is in an abject state of disorder, disarray, or chaos. Primarily heard in US. This film is just a hot mess—the plot doesn't make sense, the acting is terrible, and it's edited so poorly that I can barely tell what's even happening on the screen.

2. A person who is disheveled or disordered in life, manner, or appearance. Primarily heard in US. I overslept, so I came into work looking like a hot mess. I think I may have been wearing mismatched socks.