unstructured
Americanadjective
adjective
-
without formal structure or systematic organization
-
without a preformed shape; (esp of clothes) loose; untailored
Etymology
Origin of unstructured
First recorded in 1940–45; un- 1 + structured
Explanation
Unstructured is an adjective describing something that lacks structure or form. Some things should never be left unstructured, like a schedule for building a house or a timeline for retirement. A popular phrase that's currently associated with this adjective is unstructured time, which is another way of saying "there's nothing on the schedule." Unstructured time might encourage daydreaming, creativity, or stress management, but for extremely organized people who like to follow schedules and have everything in order, unstructured anything can make them feel lazy or crazy.
Vocabulary lists containing unstructured
Articles on Dangers of Technology
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stru, struct (make, build)
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stru, struct (make, build)
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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.
South Park won best animated series, Mr. Scorsese took best docuseries, Love on the Spectrum won best unstructured reality programme, and the Super Bowl Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny won best variety special.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026
But what if they could have more unstructured time outdoors?
From Slate ● Sep. 9, 2026
In New York, some parents say a bill backed by the statewide teachers union requiring up to 30 minutes of daily, unstructured recess time in elementary school doesn’t go far enough.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026
Yet what about companies that aren’t industrial, that deal with the “open, unstructured world,” as Linzey puts it, and can be far more challenging for machines?
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
The bartender, a severe-eyed young woman in gelled hair and unstructured black, is polishing glasses behind the long table that serves as the bar.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
