unprecedented
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of unprecedented
Explanation
Something that is unprecedented is not known, experienced, or done before. If you've never gone on a family beach vacation but you're planning one now, you could refer to it as an unprecedented decision. The root of this word is precedent, a noun referring to something done or said that is used as an example to be followed in the future. In law, a precedent is a legal decision that is used as a standard in future cases. So the adjective unprecedented, meaning "having no precedent," was formed from the prefix un- "not," the noun precedent, and the suffix –ed "having."
Vocabulary lists containing unprecedented
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 5
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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Fast Food Nation
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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.
“Gov. Newsom has made an unprecedented commitment to safe drinking water for California’s most disadvantaged communities and it’s working,” spokesperson Anthony Martinez said in an email.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
In the meantime, he explained, prices will likely remain elevated, but not in an unprecedented way.
From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026
It also follows unprecedented attacks from Iran, which has fired thousands of drones and missiles at Gulf targets including airports, casting the wealthy region into sudden economic uncertainty.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
Case numbers have shot up at an unprecedented rate.
From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026
Worse, between her own confusion and the unprecedented volume of cars, she had gone the wrong way.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
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.
