unarmed
Americanadjective
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without weapons or armor.
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not having claws, thorns, scales, etc., as animals or plants.
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(of an artillery shell) not armed.
adjective
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without weapons
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(of animals and plants) having no claws, prickles, spines, thorns, or similar structures
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of or relating to a projectile that does not use a detonator to initiate explosive action
Etymology
Origin of unarmed
A Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at un- 1, armed 2
Explanation
When someone is unarmed, they don't have any weapons. Leave your slingshot at home if you want to be officially unarmed. Sometimes the adjective unarmed has the sense of "helpless" or "defenseless," as when you hear about military troops attacking unarmed civilians. The word is constructed by adding the prefix un- ("not" ) to armed, which has meant "prepared for battle" since the 13th century, from its Latin root arma, "tools or implements of war."
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.
“American Skin” is, of course, also known as “41 Shots” and is the story of the killing of unarmed African immigrant Amadou Diallo by the New York City Police Department.
From Salon • May 28, 2026
She continued that approach after taking office, pushing for the hiring of unarmed crisis responders, such as mental health counselors.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
He supports the unarmed crisis response program cited by Soto-Martínez and said the department should use technology to streamline paperwork.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
At Mexico’s request, the CIA positioned an unarmed Predator drone over a Tapalpa vacation compound, where it observed a man exit a vehicle and warmly embrace Oseguera’s lover, according to people familiar with the operation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026
“Ah, yes, I remember,” said Voldemort, looking down at Neville, who was struggling back to his feet, unarmed and unprotected, standing in the no-man’s-land between the survivors and the Death Eaters.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
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.
