unstructured
Americanadjective
adjective
-
without formal structure or systematic organization
-
without a preformed shape; (esp of clothes) loose; untailored
Etymology
Origin of unstructured
First recorded in 1940–45; un- 1 + structured
Explanation
Unstructured is an adjective describing something that lacks structure or form. Some things should never be left unstructured, like a schedule for building a house or a timeline for retirement. A popular phrase that's currently associated with this adjective is unstructured time, which is another way of saying "there's nothing on the schedule." Unstructured time might encourage daydreaming, creativity, or stress management, but for extremely organized people who like to follow schedules and have everything in order, unstructured anything can make them feel lazy or crazy.
Vocabulary lists containing unstructured
Articles on Dangers of Technology
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Deven: The Seventh Star
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stru, struct (make, build)
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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.
My phone is my addiction, especially now that I have lots of unstructured time.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026
In that traditional view, the genome remained largely unstructured until it "woke up" and initiated its genetic program.
From Science Daily • Feb. 27, 2026
You can see why, but a gambler would have gone with Van der Merwe in the hope that Scotland can create the kind of unstructured mayhem that could see him reborn.
From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026
They’re able to take unstructured data or data that sits in Word documents and PDFs and emails, and then combine it with what they were doing before.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025
The gap was filled with recreation: unstructured time in the yard or gym.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
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.
