unarmed

American  

[uhn-ahrmd] / ʌnˈɑrmd /

adjective

1. without weapons or armor.

2. not having claws, thorns, scales, etc., as animals or plants.

3. (of an artillery shell) not armed.

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unarmed British  

/ ʌnˈɑːmd /

adjective

1. without weapons

2. (of animals and plants) having no claws, prickles, spines, thorns, or similar structures

3. of or relating to a projectile that does not use a detonator to initiate explosive action

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Etymology

Origin of unarmed

A Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at un- ¹, armed ²

Explanation

When someone is unarmed, they don't have any weapons. Leave your slingshot at home if you want to be officially unarmed. Sometimes the adjective unarmed has the sense of "helpless" or "defenseless," as when you hear about military troops attacking unarmed civilians. The word is constructed by adding the prefix un- ("not" ) to armed, which has meant "prepared for battle" since the 13th century, from its Latin root arma, "tools or implements of war."

Example Sentences

Unarmed police officers stationed sparsely at the vigil’s sidelines received festive foods along with the protesters.

From Seattle Times • May 4, 2024

A separate motion by Councilmember Bob Blumenfield would earmark $1 million in city funding for the immediate creation of an Office of Unarmed Response of Safety.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2023

Unarmed museum security officers noticed the robbery but could not intervene as they were not allowed to endanger themselves, Der Spiegel newsmagazine reported.

From Reuters • Jan. 28, 2022

Unarmed guards are sometimes assigned to posts usually staffed by armed personnel, important posts have been left vacant, and at least one emergency door was locked with stanchions blocking it, the officers say.

From Washington Post • Jan. 14, 2022

Unarmed warders walked among us, urging us to work harder.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• helpless
• powerless