un
pronoun
one.
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un
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UN
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un-
un-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 ).
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'un
un
1 American
[uhn]
/ ən /
Or
'un
pronoun
Dialect.
UN
2
American
Or
U.N.
abbreviation
un-
3
American
un-
4
American
un-
1
British
prefix
-
denoting reversal of an action or state
uncover
untangle
-
denoting removal from, release, or deprivation
unharness
unman
unthrone
-
(intensifier)
unloose
UN
2
British
abbreviation
'un
3
British
/ ən /
pronoun
un-
4
British
prefix
Usage
This spelling is intended to reflect a dialectal or informal pronunciation
Synonym Usage
See in- 3.
Etymology
Origin of un-3
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-4
Middle English, Old English un-, on-; cognate with Gothic and-, Dutch ont-, German ent-; akin to Latin ante, Greek antí; cf. ante-, anti-
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.
See Examples For:
“Soy un prisionero de guerra,” Maduro replied—which translates to “I’m a prisoner of war”—as court officers escorted the man out of the room.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 5, 2026
Even at the time, their crime was divisive - the first trial ended un a mistrial after the jury couldn't reach a verdict.
From BBC ● May 17, 2025
One of the paintings by his father lost to the fire, “Pesadilla de un General,” was created in 1994 and focused on children whose lives were taken in the war.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2025
That’s enough for a good morning or buenos días, a have a good day or que tenga un buen día, or even just a wave and a smile.
From Slate ● Jan. 3, 2024
“Leé un poco, Arturito,” she said, handing me the hook.
From "The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora" by Pablo Cartaya
Senegal's ex-president Macky Sall, who is campaigning to become the next UN secretary-general, held a meeting in Dakar Friday with his successor, a visit criticised by the former leader's detractors.
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
The UN has called for safer routes to be established for the Rohingyas to leave.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
The UN health agency issued its first dementia recommendations in 2019, but said the evidence base had grown significantly since.
From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026
The UK's representative at the UN said it strongly condemned the "reckless Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, which threaten regional security".
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
The UN also brought us tools, blankets, and secondhand clothing.
From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau
What fascinating characters “The English” has at the margins quickly cycle in and out of the miniseries — bad men and women whose motivations and backgrounds remain un- or underexplored.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2022
The standard for each of you is internal and about you alone: Is a particular accommodation for someone else comfortable or un-?
From Washington Post ● Oct. 2, 2022
Along with the vaccine rollout, some states have already been nixing restrictions, and the un- or semi-vaccinated among us are getting a little laxer with our safety calculations.
From Slate ● Apr. 6, 2021
This sense of being un- or under-written raises the spectre of another English author, Rachel Cusk, whose “Outline” trilogy dispenses with many of the classic techniques—plot, dialogue—that give fiction shape.
From The New Yorker ● Sep. 24, 2018
Gaw, Jemmy thought, he's fuming like a stovepipe at being un- princed.
From "The Whipping Boy" by Sid Fleischman
“I can tell a wrong ‘un a mile away.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2022
She said the experience had "sharpened her instinct" and that as a result she could "tell a wrong 'un a mile away".
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2022
In French, it’s called ‘un sot-l’y-laisse’—i.e., only an idiot leaves it behind.”
From Fox News ● Jul. 24, 2020
But it doesn’t matter if we call them public relations experts, background vetters, wrong ’un sniffer-outers, or simply sentient humans over the age of 18 who can read.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 29, 2019
“But how can a pore urchin dump un on ter noase? When ee ha’nt got nothing to dump with, nor way to hold ’un?
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
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.
