unanimous
Americanadjective
-
of one mind; in complete agreement; agreed.
-
characterized by or showing complete agreement.
a unanimous vote.
adjective
-
in complete or absolute agreement
-
characterized by complete agreement
a unanimous decision
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unanimous
First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin ūnanim(us), equivalent to ūn(us) “one” + animus “mind, heart, feeling” + -ous
Explanation
When a group or a decision is unanimous, it means that everyone is in total agreement. Just imagine if you let third graders vote on what to serve at lunch: Pizza and candy would be the unanimous choice! The adjective unanimous comes from the similar Latin word unanimus, which means “of one mind.” So when people think unanimously, they all have the same idea in their heads. A vote is unanimous when all voters are in agreement. Said Marcus Cicero, “Great is the power, great is the authority of a senate that is unanimous in its opinions.”
Vocabulary lists containing unanimous
List 1
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 1–6
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Speak Your Mind: Anim
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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.
Congress had deliberated for weeks before a majority in favor of independence became a unanimous vote, setting the stage for the next step.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
In a unanimous verdict, the case was thrown out because Musk filed his lawsuit after a statute of limitations to bring such claims had expired.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
The Fed’s interest rate committee has been showing much more independence over the past nine months with fewer unanimous decisions.
From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026
The bill has passed two committees with unanimous support and was most recently referred to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.
From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026
The prosecution appealed Clary’s case to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, which reversed Judge Cahill in a unanimous opinion, finding that the case was not even close.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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.
