uninhibited
Americanadjective
-
not inhibited or restricted.
uninhibited freedom to act.
-
not restrained by social convention or usage; unconstrained.
an uninhibited discussion of the causes of divorce.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of uninhibited
Explanation
The prefix "un-" means "not," making the meaning of uninhibited "not inhibited, not restrained or holding back." Someone who is uninhibited is not afraid to act however he or she wishes. Uninhibited is the opposite of inhibited, from the Latin inhibēre, "to prohibit or hinder." In the late 19th century the word took on a new importance to psychologists, describing a person not afraid to express emotions, even in public. The following quote from writer Norman Podhoretz gives a contextual definition: "Creativity represents a miraculous coming together of the uninhibited energy of the child with its apparent opposite and enemy, the sense of order imposed on the disciplined adult intelligence."
Vocabulary lists containing uninhibited
100 SAT Words Beginning with "U"
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"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 7
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We Are Not Free
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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.
The freedom to play uninhibited at the sport's most iconic tournament, no longer weighed down by hope, expectation and history.
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
Just as texture is now the telltale sign of a real photograph, finally giving pores and wrinkles the promotion to a customer-facing role they deserve, linguistic variety and uninhibited honesty will become certificates of authenticity.
From Slate • Jan. 7, 2026
There is a playful metafictional aspect to the movie, as well as a chilling feeling of isolation and a gleefully uninhibited performance from Mr. Neill.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 29, 2025
It was during the same event that he lamented that the Allies prevailed on D-Day, suggesting the 78-year-old was in one of his increasingly common moments of uninhibited honesty.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2025
“Cruel?” asked Colonel Kom with cold good humor, frightened only momentarily by the uninhibited vehemence of Dunbar’s hostility.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
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.
