unfeigned
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unfeigned
First recorded in 1325–75, unfeigned is from the Middle English word unfeynid. See un- 1, feign, -ed 2
Explanation
Feign means to fake, or pretend, so unfeigned means sincere. If you greet a friend with unfeigned joy, she'll know you are happy to see her. Unfeigned is a delightful word, pertaining as it often does to young, innocent, and trusting people––the ones who cannot hide their feelings. Who wants fake laughs when you can have unfeigned laughter? Or fake tears when unfeigned sorrow is so much more affecting? When spelling unfeigned, remember the poem: "'i' before 'e,' except after 'c,' or when sounding like 'a,' as in 'neighbor' or 'weigh'." Or unfeigned.
Vocabulary lists containing unfeigned
"The Red-Headed League" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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The Taming of the Shrew
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Intermediate, List 10
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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.
Ava, an Irish-born widow with four grown children, spends a lot of time babysitting her grandkids, with unfeigned delight and nary a complaint.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2022
Their anguish is real and their struggles unfeigned.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 24, 2020
I’m so sorry your friend died, and I absolutely believe that his distress was real and unfeigned.
From Slate ● Jan. 16, 2020
It has to be persuasion, gentleness and love unfeigned, as the words in the scripture.”
From Washington Post ● Nov. 5, 2015
If this was something of a surprise to Wesley, it was matter of unfeigned rejoicing.
From Fletcher of Madeley by Macdonald, Frederic W.
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.
