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un
unpronounone.
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UN
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un-
un-a prefix meaning “not,” freely used as an English formative, giving negative or opposite force in adjectives and their derivative adverbs and nouns (unfair; unfairly; unfairness; unfelt; unseen; unfitting; unformed; unheard-of; un-get-at-able ), and less freely used in certain other nouns (unrest; unemployment ).
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'un
un
1 Americanpronoun
abbreviation
prefix
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denoting reversal of an action or state
uncover
untangle
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denoting removal from, release, or deprivation
unharness
unman
unthrone
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(intensifier)
unloose
abbreviation
pronoun
prefix
Usage
This spelling is intended to reflect a dialectal or informal pronunciation
Synonym Usage
See in- 3.
Etymology
Origin of un-3
Middle English un-, on-, Old English; cognate with Dutch on-, Gothic, German un-, Old Norse ū-, ō-; akin to Latin in-, Greek an-, a-. See a- 6, an- 1, in- 3
Origin of un-4
Middle English, Old English un-, on-; cognate with Gothic and-, Dutch ont-, German ent-; akin to Latin ante, Greek antí; cf. ante-, anti-
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Un- or underguarded sections of the river are extremely vulnerable.
From Slate • Jun. 18, 2019
The Un- bumt, they called her, and Mother of Dragons.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
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When I visited Ledgers and Lists, I discovered he only taught one class: Un- likely Maths.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
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Un- til one is able to prevent bad results, he should avoid their occasion.
From Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures by Eddy, Mary Baker
The heir of heaven, the son of Un- Nefer, the child of the gods, he who was wholly fair, is bitten!
From Legends of the Gods The Egyptian Texts, edited with Translations by Budge, E. A. Wallis (Ernest Alfred Wallis), Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.