unabridged
4 synonyms and 3 antonyms for unabridged, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Complete, with nothing cut out or shortened, especially of a book, recording or dictionary.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
uncut
full-length
Antonyms
How to use unabridged
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
unabridged edition
unabridged audiobook
unabridged dictionary
unabridged text
Neutral; most commonly seen on book covers, audiobook listings and dictionary titles.
Etymology
From un- 'not' plus abridged, which came through Old French from Latin abbreviare 'to shorten'.
Full origin of unabridged →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between abridged and unabridged?
An abridged version has been deliberately shortened, with passages cut to save time or space. An unabridged version contains the complete original text. Abridged audiobooks are quicker but leave material out; unabridged ones give you every word.
What is an unabridged dictionary?
It is a dictionary that aims to include the entire recorded vocabulary of a language rather than a selection of it, such as the Oxford English Dictionary or Webster's Third New International. Desk and pocket dictionaries are abridged by design.
Is unabridged always better?
It is more faithful, but not always more useful. An unabridged nineteenth-century novel gives you the author's real work, while an abridged edition may suit a child, a learner or a long drive better.
