un-

a prefix meaning “not,” freely used as an English formative, giving negative or opposite force in adjectives and their derivative adverbs and nouns ( unfair; unfairly; unfairness; unfelt; unseen; unfitting; unformed; unheard-of; un-get-at-able ), and less freely used in certain other nouns ( unrest; unemployment ).

un-

a prefix freely used in English to form verbs expressing a reversal of some action or state, or removal, deprivation, release, etc. ( unbend; uncork; unfasten , etc.), or to intensify the force of a verb already having such a meaning ( unloose ).

or 'un

[ uhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

pronoun

Dialect.

one:
young uns; He's a bad un.

⁴

or U.N.

abbreviation for

United Nations ( def 1 ).

abbreviation for

United Nations

'un

/ ə�� /

pronoun

a spelling of one
that's a big 'un

un-

prefix

freely used with adjectives, participles, and their derivative adverbs and nouns: less frequently used with certain other nouns not; contrary to; opposite of
untidiness
uncertain
unrest
unbelief
unemotionally
uncomplaining
untruth

un-

⁴

prefix forming verbs and verbal derivatives

denoting reversal of an action or state
uncover
untangle
denoting removal from, release, or deprivation
unharness
unthrone
unman
(intensifier)
unloose

Discover More

Usage

This spelling is intended to reflect a dialectal or informal pronunciation

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of un-¹

Middle English un-, on-, Old English; cognate with Dutch on-, Gothic, German un-, Old Norse ū-, ō-; akin to Latin in-, Greek an-, a-. See a- ⁶, an- ¹, in- ³

Origin of un-²

Middle English, Old English un-, on-; cognate with Gothic and-, Dutch ont-, German ent-; akin to Latin ante, Greek ��Գ�í; ante-, anti-

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of un-¹

from Old English on-, un-; related to Gothic on-, German un-, Latin in-

Origin of un-²

from Old English un-, on-; related to Gothic and-, German ent-, Latin ante

Discover More

Synonym Study

See in- ³.

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

In its report The Climate Paradox: Why We Need to Reset Action on Climate Change, The Tony Blair Institute argues that global institutions such as COP and the UN have failed to make sufficient progress in halting climate change.

From

A senior UN humanitarian official in Gaza warned "a lack of real accountability undermines international law and makes the world a more dangerous place".

From

On Tuesday, the UN's human rights chief urged the world to "prevent the total collapse of critical life-saving support in Gaza".

From

The UN has said Israel is obliged under international law to ensure supplies for the 2.1 million Palestinians in Gaza.

From

Israel has also blocked all deliveries of humanitarian aid and other supplies to Gaza since 2 March, which the UN says has caused severe shortages of food, medicine and fuel.

From

umwelt Una

Browse