unspoken

American  

[uhn-spoh-kuhn] / ʌnˈspoʊ kən /

adjective

1. implied or understood without being spoken or uttered.

2. not addressed (usually followed byto ).

3. not talking; silent.

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unspoken British  

/ ʌnˈspəʊkən /

adjective

1. understood without needing to be spoken; tacit

2. not uttered aloud

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Etymology

Origin of unspoken

First recorded in 1325–75, unspoken is from the Middle English word unspokyn. See un- ¹, spoken

Example Sentences

Takaichi has refused, saying they were a statement of longstanding, if largely unspoken, Japanese policy.

From The Wall Street Journal

When “Picnic” premiered on Broadway in 1953, it struck a nerve with postwar audiences—particularly women—hungry for a depiction of everyday lives that were not grandiose or heroic, but filled with unspoken desire.

From The Wall Street Journal

I think once we got to Season 5, there was this unspoken, agreed upon thing that it was coming.

From Los Angeles Times

“There’s kind of an unspoken feeling that what happens in the club will stay in the club.”

From The Wall Street Journal

These unspoken pressures are all the more effective because leverage in the job market has tilted in favor of employers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• implicit
• implied
• tacit