unanimous
Americanadjective
-
of one mind; in complete agreement; agreed.
-
characterized by or showing complete agreement.
a unanimous vote.
adjective
-
in complete or absolute agreement
-
characterized by complete agreement
a unanimous decision
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unanimous
First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin ūnanim(us), equivalent to ūn(us) “one” + animus “mind, heart, feeling” + -ous
Explanation
When a group or a decision is unanimous, it means that everyone is in total agreement. Just imagine if you let third graders vote on what to serve at lunch: Pizza and candy would be the unanimous choice! The adjective unanimous comes from the similar Latin word unanimus, which means “of one mind.” So when people think unanimously, they all have the same idea in their heads. A vote is unanimous when all voters are in agreement. Said Marcus Cicero, “Great is the power, great is the authority of a senate that is unanimous in its opinions.”
Vocabulary lists containing unanimous
List 1
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 1–6
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Speak Your Mind: Anim
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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.
In late 2024, CD&R said it would restructure mobility-services company Vialto Partners with the unanimous support of its first-lien lenders for a new capital injection and debt extensions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
Witnesses I spoke with were unanimous on one detail: “Only one of the three officers on duty that night tried to do anything.”
From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026
The Briton outclassed Kielholtz at PFL New York earlier this month to win by unanimous decision in her first fight in just over a year.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
Smith Jr. followed his father’s footsteps to the University of Arkansas, and was twice named a unanimous All-American and voted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
The verdict does not have to be unanimous among the judges, and appeals are not guaranteed.
From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple
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.
