unforeseen
Britishadjective
Explanation
Something unforeseen is something that could not be predicted and was not expected. It's a surprise. If something was foreseen, you saw it coming and it wasn't a surprise. Something unforeseen is the opposite: no one saw it coming. Accidents are usually unforeseen events: no one expects to get in a car or bike accident on a given day. Winning the lottery, since it's so unlikely, would be an unforeseen event. If something was unanticipated or out of the blue, it was unforeseen. Unforeseen events can be good or bad, but they’re all surprises.
Vocabulary lists containing unforeseen
Power Prefix: un-
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World Without Fish
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: un-
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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.
Many CCRCs have foundations to support residents who can no longer afford care due to unforeseen circumstances.
From Barron's • Jun. 20, 2026
His pursuit of firsts, bests, biggests, quickest has helped fuel his success to unforeseen heights with SpaceX and Tesla, where he is also chief executive.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026
Nigeria's foreign affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said the evacuation "has been rescheduled for Wednesday... due to unforeseen logistical considerations".
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
While the broad move toward cord cutting and a la carte programming has put significant pressure on pay-TV providers, it has also created a plethora of unforeseen problems for streaming services.
From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026
It is difficult to believe that Henry’s modest plan could have worked so well despite these unforeseen events.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
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.
