unready
Americanadjective
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not ready; not made ready.
The new stadium is as yet unready for use.
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not in a state of readiness; unprepared.
emotionally unready for success.
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lacking in presence of mind, as when a quick decision or a sharp answer is required.
Awkward situations often found him unready.
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British Dialect. not dressed.
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not prompt or quick.
adjective
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not ready or prepared
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slow or hesitant to see or act
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archaic not dressed
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unready
First recorded in 1250–1300, unready is from the Middle English word unredy. See un- 1, ready
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 Cambodian government seems unready to address questions about the leak.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2025
Alas, the root of the issue was some light questioning from Judge Maryellen Noreika that revealed a plea deal unready for prime time.
From Slate ● Jul. 29, 2023
As Beth, Sullivan delivers depth as the problem sister unready for the responsibilities thrust upon her and blanching at the destruction unfolding around her.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 19, 2023
Australia has taken a plunge that other countries in the Asia-Pacific region have been unready to emulate.
From New York Times ● Feb. 3, 2022
And my men, for whom I am no more than a standard or a talisman, are the knights who were leaders—the rich defending their possessions, the powerful unready to let it slip.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
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.
