unattached

American  

[uhn-uh-tacht] / ˌʌn əˈtætʃt /

adjective

1. not attached.

2. not connected or associated with any particular body, group, organization, or the like; independent.

3. not engaged or married.

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unattached British  

/ ˌʌnəˈtætʃt /

adjective

1. not connected with any specific thing, body, group, etc; independent

2. not engaged or married

3. (of property) not seized or held as security or in satisfaction of a judgment

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Etymology

Origin of unattached

First recorded in 1490–1500; un- ¹ + attached

Explanation

Unattached things are not connected or fastened. People can also be unattached, which usually means they don't have a long-term sweetheart. If you pull apart two pieces of Velcro, they're unattached. If your tent comes unattached, or disconnected, from its pole, it may collapse. If you're a freelance reporter, you work unattached to a particular paper or magazine. When we say a person is unattached we mean they are not in a committed relationship. In the animal world, unattached means "free to swim around."

Example Sentences

Unattached observers here relish in a rarity: a really competitive election.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

Unattached runner Brannon Kidder was the runner-up at 3:53:09.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 27, 2024

Unattached, middle-aged white men are the most frequent victims.

From Slate • Oct. 15, 2013

Unattached babyclock-watchers determined to go it alone had better watch out: they can still expect raised eyebrows, or perhaps worse.

From The Guardian • Sep. 6, 2010

Unattached, you know . . . eligible for Young Women's Christian Associations?'

From A Bed of Roses by George, Walter Lionel