un
or 'un
[ uhn ]
/ ən /
pronoun Dialect.
one: young uns; He's a bad un.
QUIZZES
THIS PSAT VOCABULARY QUIZ IS PERFECT PRACTICE FOR THE REAL TEST
In our third teacher-created PSAT practice test there are new and unique vocabulary terms you may have never heard of! Can you guess what they mean?
Question 1 of 10
seclusion
Definition for un (2 of 4)
Definition for un (3 of 4)
un-1
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).
Compare un-2.
Origin of un-
1synonym study for un-
See in-3.
Definition for un (4 of 4)
un-2
a prefix freely used in English to form verbs expressing a reversal of some action or state, or removal, deprivation, release, etc. (unbend; uncork; unfasten, etc.), or to intensify the force of a verb already having such a meaning (unloose).
Compare un-1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for un (1 of 4)
usage for 'un
This spelling is intended to reflect a dialectal or informal pronunciation
British Dictionary definitions for un (2 of 4)
UN
abbreviation for
United Nations
British Dictionary definitions for un (3 of 4)
un-1
prefix
(freely used with adjectives, participles, and their derivative adverbs and nouns: less frequently used with certain other nouns) not; contrary to; opposite ofuncertain; uncomplaining; unemotionally; untidiness; unbelief; unrest; untruth
Word Origin for un-
from Old English on-, un-; related to Gothic on-, German un-, Latin in-
British Dictionary definitions for un (4 of 4)
un-2
prefix forming verbs and verbal derivatives
denoting reversal of an action or stateuncover; untangle
denoting removal from, release, or deprivationunharness; unman; unthrone
(intensifier)unloose
Word Origin for un-
from Old English un-, on-; related to Gothic and-, German ent-, Latin ante
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for un
un-
pref.
Not:unmyelinated.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.