unattended

American  

[uhn-uh-ten-did] / ˌʌn əˈtɛn dɪd /

adjective

1. without attendance; lacking an audience, spectators, etc..

   The decision was made out of the public eye, in an unattended meeting.

2. not accompanied; not associated with, as a concomitant effect or result.

   a flash of lightning unattended by thunder.

3. not cared for or ministered to.

   unattended patients;

   an unattended injury.

4. not taken in charge; not watched over.

   Many forest fires start from unattended campfires.

   Careful, or your unattended baggage may be picked up by airport security.

5. not accompanied, as by an attendant or companion; alone.

   The queen was unattended.

6. unheeded; not listened to; disregarded.

   A number of unattended warning signals preceded the explosion.

7. not tended to; not done or carried out, as a task (usually followed byto ).

   He left his studies unattended to.

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unattended British  

/ ˌʌnəˈtɛndɪd /

adjective

1. not looked after or cared for

2. unaccompanied or alone

3. not listened to

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Etymology

Origin of unattended

First recorded in 1595–1605; un- ¹ + attend + -ed ²

Explanation

Anything unattended is not being looked after or noticed. It's not safe for unattended children to wander too close to a busy street. There are some places, like a parking lot, where it's fine to leave an unattended car. Other places, like curbside at the airport, unattended vehicles aren't allowed — there must be a person with the car at all times. When something is attended, it's being watched or paid attention. Add the prefix un- ("not"), and you get unattended.

Example Sentences

Ravens ate the couple’s two eggs when they were left unattended for several hours.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

But McDermott said modern technology is “a strategic weapon” because he can spend 20 minutes handling important emails that would have stressed him out all weekend if left unattended.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

"BMW AG recommends that after starting the engine –- especially after remote engine start –- the vehicle should not be left unattended with the engine running," the carmaker said in a statement.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

Don’t leave the pot unattended as the milk can over boil.

From Salon • Jan. 10, 2026

Four rats lay dead near the wall, and Killconey’s drum stood unattended in the road.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

Related Words

• neglected