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.
Leonard, despite his clearly unfeigned kindness, turns out to be the bearer of less-than-benevolent tidings.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 1, 2023
Their anguish is real and their struggles unfeigned.
From The Guardian • Jul. 24, 2020
Throughout the 16-day proceedings, the judge, Vivien Rose, earned Spear’s unfeigned admiration for her intelligence, fair-mindedness and quick grasp of detail.
From Washington Post • Jul. 8, 2020
His puzzlement at the 21st-century world in which he found himself was deep and unfeigned.
From New York Times • Jun. 9, 2020
When she met a slow farm cart jogging homewards, she made no reply to the touch of the hat accorded her by the carter, but showed unfeigned terror at the friendly inquisitiveness of his dog.
From The Eldest Son by Marshall, Archibald
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.
