unbridled
Americanadjective
-
not controlled or restrained.
unbridled enthusiasm.
-
not fitted with a bridle.
adjective
-
with all restraints removed
-
(of a horse, etc) wearing no bridle
Other Word Forms
- unbridledly adverb
- unbridledness noun
Etymology
Origin of unbridled
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English unbrydled. See un- 1, bridle ( def. ), + -ed 2 ( def. )
Explanation
Unbridled means "unrestrained." When you find out that you just won the lottery, feel free to jump up and down with unbridled joy. Go ahead, most people would probably let loose in the same way. A bridle is the contraption used to control a horse, including the reins held by the rider and the bit that goes into the horse’s mouth. Add the un prefix and it means there is no control. Unbridled is often used to describe people’s emotions or actions and it can be either a good or a bad thing. If you have unbridled spending, you’re in danger of going in debt. If you tackle homework with unbridled enthusiasm, you’re likely going to get good grades.
Vocabulary lists containing unbridled
Fast Food Nation
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
This Week in Words: July 31 - August 4, 2017
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "U"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
But when it comes to her writing, she is unbridled.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
Her experiences are almost mythic, like peering through the looking glass at a time when misery could actively coexist with unbridled bliss.
From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026
Yes, it’s brushed with the unbridled humor and candor that fans of the Emmy-winning actor with a résumé that includes “Married ... With Children” and “Dead to Me” have come to expect.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026
It is merely the unbridled flow of capital into a handful of giant companies being checked.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 2, 2026
He could never duplicate the unbridled energy that had come with the words.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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.
