unco

[ uhng-koh ]

/ ˈʌŋ koʊ /

Scot. and North England

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adjective

remarkable; extraordinary.

unusual; strange.

uncanny.

adverb

remarkably; extremely.

noun, plural un·cos.

something extraordinary or unusual; a novelty.

uncos, news.

Obsolete. a stranger.

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Origin of unco

1375–1425; late Middle English; variant of uncouth

Words nearby unco

unclose, unclosed, unclothe, unclubbable, uncluttered, unco, uncoded, uncoffined, uncoil, uncoined, uncollateralized

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use unco in a sentence

The place where all this “fou and unco happy” work was transacted is now the school chapel of the Wesleyans.
Our Churches and Chapels|Atticus
We were unco gleg to win hame when a' this was dune, an' after steekin' the door, to sit an' birsle oor taes at the bit blaze.
Penelope's Experiences in Scotland|Kate Douglas Wiggin
Captain Hoseason,” returned my uncle, “you keep your room unco hot.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 10 (of 25)|Robert Louis Stevenson
“This is unco hard on me that brought him here, James,” said he, throwing his head back.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 10 (of 25)|Robert Louis Stevenson

Mr. Soulis had heard tell o' black men mony's the time; but there was something unco about this black man that daunted him.
Masterpieces of Mystery, Vol. 1 (of 4)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for unco (1 of 2)

unco¹

/ (ˈʌŋkəʊ) Scot /

adjective uncoer or uncoest

unfamiliar, strange, or odd

remarkable or striking

adverb

very; extremely

the unco guid narrow-minded, excessively religious, or self-righteous people

noun plural uncos or uncoes

a novel or remarkable person or thing

obsolete a stranger

(plural) news

Word Origin for unco

C15: variant of uncouth

British Dictionary definitions for unco (2 of 2)

unco²

/ (ˈʌŋkəʊ) Australian informal /

adjective

awkward; clumsy

noun plural uncos

an awkward or clumsy person

Word Origin for unco

C20: shortened form of uncoordinated

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012