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.
In light of the unforeseen delays, landlord Jason Fujimoto granted Wang’s request for a rent freeze, so she has not paid rent since February.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
US embassies in capitals across the Middle East on Saturday warned their citizens to beware of "unforeseen escalation" in the regional conflict and urged them to be ready to leave.
From Barron's ● Aug. 1, 2026
However, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I plan to continue working until the end of the tax year — about 10 months after my 70th birthday.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
Experts have said that doing so can expose children to unforeseen risks such as identity theft, fraud or impede their privacy as they grow up.
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026
Oh and let’s not forget, changing something could result in unforeseen consequences to my family.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
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.
