unattached

American  

[uhn-uh-tacht] / ˌʌn əˈtætʃt /

adjective

1. not attached.

2. not connected or associated with any particular body, group, organization, or the like; independent.

3. not engaged or married.

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unattached British  

/ ˌʌnəˈtætʃt /

adjective

1. not connected with any specific thing, body, group, etc; independent

2. not engaged or married

3. (of property) not seized or held as security or in satisfaction of a judgment

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Etymology

Origin of unattached

First recorded in 1490–1500; un- ¹ + attached

Explanation

Unattached things are not connected or fastened. People can also be unattached, which usually means they don't have a long-term sweetheart. If you pull apart two pieces of Velcro, they're unattached. If your tent comes unattached, or disconnected, from its pole, it may collapse. If you're a freelance reporter, you work unattached to a particular paper or magazine. When we say a person is unattached we mean they are not in a committed relationship. In the animal world, unattached means "free to swim around."

Example Sentences

Unattached observers here relish in a rarity: a really competitive election.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

Unattached runner Brannon Kidder was the runner-up at 3:53:09.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 27, 2024

Unattached, middle-aged white men are the most frequent victims.

From Slate • Oct. 15, 2013

Unattached babyclock-watchers determined to go it alone had better watch out: they can still expect raised eyebrows, or perhaps worse.

From The Guardian • Sep. 6, 2010

Significant enough to the initiated of the importance of this laboratory is the fact that it was headed by an Unattached Lensman.

From The Vortex Blaster by Smith, E. E. (Edward Elmer)