un

or 'un

[ uhn ]

/ ən /

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pronoun Dialect.

one: young uns; He's a bad un.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Other definitions for un (2 of 4)

or U.N.

abbreviation

United Nations (def. 1).

Other definitions for un (3 of 4)

un-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).

Compare un-².

Origin of un-

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

synonym study for un-

See in-³.

Other definitions for un (4 of 4)

un-²

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).

Compare un-¹.

Origin of un-

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use un in a sentence

It was a coming-out story of sorts told with self-effacing un-sentimentality.
The Best Columns of 2014|John Avlon, Errol Louis|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of course, Kim Jong-Un takes an image hit as a Katy Perry-obsessed, margarita-drinking maniac with daddy issues.
I Was Honeydicked Into Spending Christmas with ‘The Interview’|Allison McNearney|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“They humanized [Kim Jong-Un] quite a bit,” David Brand, 32, said following the show.
I Was Honeydicked Into Spending Christmas with ‘The Interview’|Allison McNearney|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And finally, they meet Un (Randall Park), who appears to be nothing but genial and fun-loving—especially to Dave.
Sony’s ‘The Interview’: A Glorious, Patriotic, and Katy Perry-Filled Mess|Marlow Stern|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The report builds on a recent UN report documenting the high economic costs worldwide of domestic violence.
The Women Battling an Islamist Strongman|Christina Asquith|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Estimez un peu que c'est du reste du symbole et fondemens chrestiens.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
En effet un soir, sa femme et enfans l'abandonnerent entierement, et s'en allerent cabaner ailleurs, pensant que c'en estoit vuid.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Le lendemain matin, un coup de vent l'emporta tout seul dehors de la chaloupe dans les vagues, et jamais depuis, n'est apparu.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
C'est asss demeur la maison; sortons un peu dehors, comme nous avons promis de faire, et racontons ce qui s'est pass par le pays.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Mais, dpartans un peu de pense d'avec eux, comme nous fismes lors de presence, continuons nostre route et voyage.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various

British Dictionary definitions for un (1 of 4)

'un

un

/ (ən) /

pronoun

a spelling of one that's a big 'un

usage for 'un

This spelling is intended to reflect a dialectal or informal pronunciation

British Dictionary definitions for un (2 of 4)

abbreviation for

United Nations

British Dictionary definitions for un (3 of 4)

un-¹

prefix

(freely used with adjectives, participles, and their derivative adverbs and nouns: less frequently used with certain other nouns) not; contrary to; opposite ofuncertain; uncomplaining; unemotionally; untidiness; unbelief; unrest; untruth

Word Origin for un-

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

British Dictionary definitions for un (4 of 4)

un-²

prefix forming verbs and verbal derivatives

denoting reversal of an action or stateuncover; untangle

denoting removal from, release, or deprivationunharness; unman; unthrone

(intensifier)unloose

Word Origin for un-

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012