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unhoped-for

American  
[uhn-hohpt-fawr] / ʌnˈhoʊptˌfɔr /

adjective

  1. unexpected; unanticipated.

    an unhoped-for piece of good luck.


unhoped-for British  
/ ˌʌnˈhəʊptfɔː /

adjective

  1. (esp of something pleasant) not anticipated; unexpected

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of unhoped-for

1590–1600; from the phrase hope for; see un- 1, -ed 2

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.

See Examples For:

Catherine takes Toni's love as one of her rights, and he diffidently accepts her favors as an unhoped-for privilege.

From Time Magazine Archive

This is a sensational event, as well as an unhoped-for honor for our little city .

From Time Magazine Archive

I saw even that to be thus frankly addressed on a subject he had deemed unapproachable—to hear it thus freely handled—was beginning to be felt by him as a new pleasure—an unhoped-for relief.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

It seemed as if an invisible bond had burst, and that I had struggled out into unhoped-for liberty.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

As he was a quiet, sensible fellow, this unhoped-for addition to his small means must have proved very useful in going into the woods.

From Flora Lyndsay or, Passages in an Eventful Life Vol. II. by Moodie, Susanna

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