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.
In a retrial at Swansea Crown Court in 2023, Buckle's barrister Stephen Vullo KC produced new forensic evidence and witnesses, which resulted in a swift unanimous verdict of "not guilty".
From BBC • Jul. 5, 2026
This term, 44% of the Court’s decisions were unanimous, close to the two-decade average.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026
The defeat comes on the heels of unanimous support, including a 60-0 vote in favor on the Assembly Floor on May 7.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026
Under the USMCA's original terms, unanimous agreement on an extension would have seen the trade deal kept in place until 2042.
From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026
“A team of internationally known scientists did a study on Ansley Matthews last year and came to the unanimous conclusion that she is an idiot,” Mary Anne said.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
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.
