unattached

American  

[uhn-uh-tacht] / ˌʌn əˈtætʃt /

adjective

1. not attached.

2. not connected or associated with any particular body, group, organization, or the like; independent.

3. not engaged or married.

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unattached British  

/ ˌʌnəˈtætʃt /

adjective

1. not connected with any specific thing, body, group, etc; independent

2. not engaged or married

3. (of property) not seized or held as security or in satisfaction of a judgment

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Etymology

Origin of unattached

First recorded in 1490–1500; un- ¹ + attached

Explanation

Unattached things are not connected or fastened. People can also be unattached, which usually means they don't have a long-term sweetheart. If you pull apart two pieces of Velcro, they're unattached. If your tent comes unattached, or disconnected, from its pole, it may collapse. If you're a freelance reporter, you work unattached to a particular paper or magazine. When we say a person is unattached we mean they are not in a committed relationship. In the animal world, unattached means "free to swim around."

Example Sentences

Still, she delivered some Kirkian tough love when she urged the audience to use their unattached time to seek self-improvement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

In 2023, the Los Angeles City Council voted to make it illegal to possess an unattached catalytic converter without proof of ownership.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2025

“All of the fear and the anxiety and the threat lingers unattached to anything,” Makari said.

From Salon • Nov. 1, 2024

Rowing, or crew, uses rowing oars that are attached to a boat using oarlocks, unlike paddles, which are unattached.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 29, 2023

He was the only relatively unattached man most of us had ever known.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson