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.
But if “The Last Duel” hits some familiar notes, it hits them, more often than not, with both unfeigned anger and an invigoratingly dark sense of humor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2021
Mayor Rick Kriseman of Tampa’s sister city, St. Petersburg, who was also at the briefing, responded with unfeigned excitement, “Oh my goodness. Wow!”
From New York Times ● Apr. 21, 2020
She has a splendid smile, full of mischief and wisdom: a small and compact woman buoyed by that straight-up, unfeigned southern warmth that abides no matter where you encounter it.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 17, 2020
I’m so sorry your friend died, and I absolutely believe that his distress was real and unfeigned.
From Slate ● Jan. 16, 2020
This gave him unfeigned pleasure, though it did not permit him to hope that he should ever see Margaret.
From The History of Margaret Catchpole A Suffolk Girl by Richard Cobbold
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.
