unsaid

¹ American  

[uhn-sed] / ʌnˈsɛd /

verb

1. simple past tense and past participle of unsay.

---

unsaid ² American  

[uhn-sed] / ʌnˈsɛd /

adjective

1. not said; thought but not mentioned or discussed; unstated.

   It was best left unsaid.

---

unsaid British  

/ ʌnˈsɛd /

adjective

1. not said or expressed; unspoken

---

Etymology

Origin of unsaid

before 1000; Middle English unsa ( i ) d, Old English unsǣd; see un- ¹, said ¹

Explanation

If something hasn't been spoken out loud, it's unsaid. Even when something is unsaid, its meaning is sometimes understood anyway. It's more common to use the adjective unspoken when you're talking about something that's implied indirectly but not articulated in words, but you can use unsaid this way too. In print, you're most likely to see it in its role as the past tense of unsay: "Once you've said something mean, it can't be unsaid."

Example Sentences

Thankfully, Babitz did exactly that — no rambling thoughts, petty accusations or amusing missives left unsaid.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

This week on Amicus, that changes: Two judges sat down with us to talk openly about what often goes unsaid.

From Slate • May 9, 2026

For a series centred on what goes unsaid, both actors reflected on how difficult it can be to open up in real life.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

They talk about all of the things that have been left unsaid, buried by their never-ending battle of wits.

From Salon • Mar. 1, 2026

So much I said, and left the other unsaid.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya