undue
Americanadjective
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unwarranted; excessive.
undue haste.
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inappropriate; unjustifiable; improper.
undue influence.
-
not owed or currently payable.
adjective
-
excessive or unwarranted
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unjust, improper, or illegal
-
(of a debt, bond, etc) not yet payable
Usage
The use of undue in sentences such as there is no cause for undue alarm is redundant and should be avoided
Etymology
Origin of undue
First recorded in 1350–1400, undue is from the Middle English word undewe. See un- 1, due
Explanation
When something isn't appropriate or justified, you can describe it as undue. For example, an undue delay in a hospital waiting room can be dangerous for someone with a bad injury. Something that's undue isn't warranted or, often, fair. The phrase "undue delay" is a common one, and it means that someone has to wait way too long for something, whether it's a building permit or a dentist appointment. The adjective has come to mean "excessive," from its original definition in the fourteenth century as literally "not owing" or "not payable."
Vocabulary lists containing undue
Wonder
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Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress
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And Then There Were None
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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.
He has also been highly critical of his opponent, alleging Connolly’s supporters applied undue pressure to a judge who endorsed him.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
They argue that there was not undue pressure on the Foreign Office, but that Sir Olly nevertheless made the wrong call at the end of the vetting process to give Lord Mandelson security clearance.
From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026
It’s certainly hard to argue that the current round of conflict, including the extended closure of the Strait of Hormuz, will undue the market’s hard-won gains.
From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026
A finding of undue influence can invalidate a will or trust if your grandmother was pressured, manipulated or dependent on your mother.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026
“He could blend easily into any group without drawing undue attention to himself, a valuable characteristic for a spy.”
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
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.
