unhallowed

American  

[uhn-hal-ohd] / ʌnˈhæl oʊd /

adjective

1. not hallowed or consecrated; not regarded as holy or sacred.

   unhallowed ground.

2. impious; unholy.

3. wicked or sinful.

   unhallowed practices.

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unhallowed British  

/ ʌnˈhæləʊd /

adjective

1. not consecrated or holy

   unhallowed ground

2. sinful or profane

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Etymology

Origin of unhallowed

before 1000; Middle English unhalewed, Old English unhālghod, ungehālghod; see un- ¹, hallowed

Explanation

Something that's unhallowed hasn't been blessed by a bishop or other religious authority. If a body is buried in "unhallowed ground," it's not a church-sanctioned cemetery or graveyard. An object, building, or piece of land that's hallowed is considered to be holy, or officially blessed by a priest or other religious authority. The words hallowed and unhallowed are used most frequently in religious speech or writing, often Catholic. A proper Catholic burial, for example, would be in hallowed ground. Both words come from the Old English halgian, "to make holy, consecrate, or ordain," related to halig, or "holy."

Example Sentences

Although the film never comes out and says it, Ohm was possibly conceived on these unhallowed grounds, so maybe he was just born cursed.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

Everything inside was urbs, city space consecrated by priests who interpreted the will of the gods; everything outside was ager — unhallowed open territory.

From New York Times • May 1, 2023

Even at that time the press had begun to refer to him as "Reggie" and to point with horror to his unhallowed pleasures.

From Time Magazine Archive

To thee we bow, O Holy Earth Beloved of God the Savior: Forgive, we pray, The touch of our unhallowed feet.

From Time Magazine Archive

Bounds had been set to this unhallowed purgatory.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White