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Synonyms

unready

American  
[uhn-red-ee] / ʌnˈrɛd i /

adjective

  1. not ready; not made ready.

    The new stadium is as yet unready for use.

  2. not in a state of readiness; unprepared.

    emotionally unready for success.

  3. lacking in presence of mind, as when a quick decision or a sharp answer is required.

    Awkward situations often found him unready.

  4. British Dialect. not dressed.

  5. not prompt or quick.


unready British  
/ ʌnˈrɛdɪ /

adjective

  1. not ready or prepared

  2. slow or hesitant to see or act

  3. archaic not dressed

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived 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.

Soon she was seen as gaffe-prone and unready for the political primetime.

From BBC • Jul. 31, 2024

So, the NHL lets major junior teams keep unready returnees for another season or two of gate receipts.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 12, 2023

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

They are children, as of yet unready to meet the demands of a relationship or a war, but they embrace the latter to deny the former.

From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2023

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

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