unpopular

American  

[uhn-pop-yuh-ler] / ʌnˈpɒp jə lər /

adjective

1. not popular; disliked or ignored by the public or by persons generally.

2. in disfavor with a particular person or group of persons.

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unpopular British  

/ ʌnˈpɒpjʊlə /

adjective

1. not popular with an individual or group of people

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Other Word Forms

• unpopularity
  noun
• unpopularly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of unpopular

First recorded in 1640–50; un- ¹ + popular

Explanation

When something is unpopular, it means most people don't like it, like a school lunch that nobody wants to eat or a TV show that nobody watches. Empty theaters and poor reviews indicate that a movie is unpopular. A politician with low approval ratings is unpopular and probably won't be reelected. Unpopular opinions are those that are not widely accepted or well-received. The word unpopular indicates a lack of favor or acceptance that can lead to rejection of products, ideas, and sometimes even people.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

unpopular

The merger has been unpopular in Hollywood because the combination of two similar companies is expected to erase at least 4,500 jobs, according to a recent report from Los Angeles County’s Department of Economic Opportunity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

It means the 16 constituencies could see changes to Welsh-only names that proved unpopular, with any amendments set to be in place by the 2030 election.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

But parliament is struggling to approve suggested laws, which include unpopular measures such as imposing duties on parcels from abroad, intended to boost revenues.

From Barron's ● Sep. 12, 2026

So he made the unpopular call to double down with the surge—adding more troops in a wholesale change in strategy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

And I don’t care how unpopular that makes me with Draco Malfoy.

From "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" by J.K. Rowling