un
pronoun
one.
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un-
un-a prefix meaning “not,” freely used as an English formative, giving negative or opposite force in adjectives and their derivative adverbs and nouns (unfair; unfairly; unfairness; unfelt; unseen; unfitting; unformed; unheard-of; un-get-at-able ), and less freely used in certain other nouns (unrest; unemployment ).
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'un
un
1 American
[uhn]
/ ən /
Or
'un
pronoun
Dialect.
UN
2
American
Or
U.N.
abbreviation
un-
3
American
un-
4
American
un-
1
British
prefix
-
denoting reversal of an action or state
uncover
untangle
-
denoting removal from, release, or deprivation
unharness
unman
unthrone
-
(intensifier)
unloose
UN
2
British
abbreviation
'un
3
British
/ ən /
pronoun
un-
4
British
prefix
Usage
This spelling is intended to reflect a dialectal or informal pronunciation
Synonym Usage
See in- 3.
Etymology
Origin of un-3
Middle English un-, on-, Old English; cognate with Dutch on-, Gothic, German un-, Old Norse ū-, ō-; akin to Latin in-, Greek an-, a-. See a- 6, an- 1, in- 3
Origin of un-4
Middle English, Old English un-, on-; cognate with Gothic and-, Dutch ont-, German ent-; akin to Latin ante, Greek antí; cf. ante-, anti-
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.
See Examples For:
Nerves crept in, and as the match entered extra time, Spain began to fear that this final would go down as un robo, a robbery.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
Even at the time, their crime was divisive - the first trial ended un a mistrial after the jury couldn't reach a verdict.
From BBC ● May 17, 2025
“Then en un abrir y cerrar de ojos — in a quick second — I’m here.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2024
Even if some other upstart nationality makes a 500-foot baguette tomorrow, France will remain numéro un.
From New York Times ● May 6, 2024
As time went on, the concern un hooked itself from the fear and took on a life of its own.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
Deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq declined to comment on the US walkout, adding the UN expected all member states to respect the decision.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he planned to attend the UN General Assembly in New York City this autumn, despite the city's mayor, Zohran Mamdani, making threats to arrest him.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
Some observers say he's been more strident in pushing for UN reform, and believes the UN secretary-general should take a more hands-on approach.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
She has lamented that the UN has become what she calls a "risk-conservative organization."
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
The UN also brought us tools, blankets, and secondhand clothing.
From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau
What fascinating characters “The English” has at the margins quickly cycle in and out of the miniseries — bad men and women whose motivations and backgrounds remain un- or underexplored.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2022
Along with the vaccine rollout, some states have already been nixing restrictions, and the un- or semi-vaccinated among us are getting a little laxer with our safety calculations.
From Slate ● Apr. 6, 2021
This sense of being un- or under-written raises the spectre of another English author, Rachel Cusk, whose “Outline” trilogy dispenses with many of the classic techniques—plot, dialogue—that give fiction shape.
From The New Yorker ● Sep. 24, 2018
But because that format is so often used to disguise periods of un- or underemployment, the typical hiring manager’s reaction is, “I’m going to find what this person’s trying to hide,” Milligan says.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 29, 2016
Night masquerade dawned with an un- usual fog, and when Ash went out into the garden to pump water for her stepsis- ters’ baths, the King’s Forest was invisible behind the cool white mist.
From "Ash" by Malinda Lo
Mr Morris explained: "I said to my partner 'That looks like the couple that were in the news', and she said 'She's definitely got something under that coat. It may be a little 'un'."
From BBC ● Jan. 30, 2024
“I can tell a wrong ‘un a mile away.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2022
In French, it’s called ‘un sot-l’y-laisse’—i.e., only an idiot leaves it behind.”
From Fox News ● Jul. 24, 2020
But it doesn’t matter if we call them public relations experts, background vetters, wrong ’un sniffer-outers, or simply sentient humans over the age of 18 who can read.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 29, 2019
Then he’d point to one and say, “Don’t load that ’un.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
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.
