un-

¹

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 ).

un-

²

1. 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 ).

un

³

Or 'un

[uhn]

pronoun

Dialect.

1. one.

   young uns; He's a bad un.

UN

⁴

Or U.N.

abbreviation

1. United Nations.

un-

¹

prefix

1. denoting reversal of an action or state

   uncover

   untangle

2. denoting removal from, release, or deprivation

   unharness

   unman

   unthrone

3. (intensifier)

   unloose

UN

²

abbreviation

1. United Nations

'un

³

/ ən /

pronoun

1. a spelling of one

   that's a big 'un

un-

⁴

prefix

1. (freely used with adjectives, participles, and their derivative adverbs and nouns: less frequently used with certain other nouns) not; contrary to; opposite of

   uncertain

   uncomplaining

   unemotionally

   untidiness

   unbelief

   unrest

   untruth

Usage

This spelling is intended to reflect a dialectal or informal pronunciation

Word History and Origins

Origin of un-¹

Middle English un-, on-, Old English; cognate with Dutch on-, Gothic, German un-, Old Norse ū-, ō-; akin to Latin in-, Greek an-, a-. See a- ⁶, an- ¹, in- ³

Origin of un-²

Middle English, Old English un-, on-; cognate with Gothic and-, Dutch ont-, German ent-; akin to Latin ante, Greek antí; ante-, anti-

Word History and Origins

Origin of un-¹

from Old English un-, on-; related to Gothic and-, German ent-, Latin ante

Origin of un-²

from Old English on-, un-; related to Gothic on-, German un-, Latin in-

Synonym Study

See in- ³.

Example Sentences

Last week, the UN said that at least 22 people had been killed and more than 100 injured in the protests, but the government rejected the figures, describing them as based on "rumours and misinformation".

From BBC

Most of its weapons are supplied by the US, which also provides political and diplomatic protection, vetoing multiple resolutions in the UN Security Council that were intended to pressure Israel to stop.

From BBC

The UN has called on Israel to urgently lift the blockade on Gaza and allow the entry of life-saving material through all means possible.

From BBC

According to UN investigators, up to 1,400 people died in the 2024 unrest, which included a deadly crackdown on student-led demonstrations that ousted Hasina.

From BBC

In a speech at the UN General Assembly last week - the first by a Syrian president in 60 years - Sharaa promised to bring to justice everyone responsible for the bloodshed, as well as those who committed atrocities under Assad.

From BBC