undesirable

[uhn-di-zahyuhr-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. not desirable or attractive; objectionable.

   undesirable qualities.

noun

1. a person or thing considered undesirable.

   a collection of malcontents and undesirables.

undesirable

/ ˌʌndɪˈzaɪərəbəl /

adjective

1. not desirable or pleasant; objectionable

noun

1. a person or thing that is considered undesirable

Other Word Forms

• undesirability noun
• undesirably adverb
• undesirableness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of undesirable¹

First recorded in 1660–70; un- ¹ + desirable

Example Sentences

He added: "Unfortunately with any kind of movement, you are going to get the undesirables. We can't control the masses, we can only control ourselves in these situations and the guys that are with us."

From BBC

For generations society has broadcast the message to black women that they are undesirable, unmarriable, lacking in femininity.

From Salon

It was considered a risky project at the time, when the gritty blocks near the Los Angeles Convention Center were deemed undesirable by most real estate developers.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the 1979 Estate Agents Act it is classed as an "undesirable practice" for estate agents to discriminate against prospective buyers if they don't take out a mortgage through in-house brokers.

From BBC

"It is acknowledged by all that this is highly undesirable, yet as Dr Brown so powerfully observed, the position is worse now than in 2018."

From BBC

Related Words

• abominable 
• inadmissible 
• loathsome 
• objectionable 
• troublesome 
• unsatisfactory 
• unsavory 
• unwanted 
• unwelcome