adjective
Uncommon
undesirable
uhn-dih-ZEYE-ruh-buhl
Undesirable (adjective) means not wanted; unpleasant or likely to cause problems. Example: “The side effects of the drug were considered undesirable.”
adjective
1
Not wanted; unpleasant or likely to cause problems.
"The side effects of the drug were considered undesirable."
noun
1
A person regarded as unwelcome or troublesome.
"The club had a policy of removing known undesirables."
How to use undesirable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot wanted, or likely to cause trouble.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- undesirables
- Comparative
- more undesirable
- Superlative
- most undesirable
Fill the gap
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The side effects of the drug were considered _____.
Etymology
From un- plus desirable.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for undesirable
See all rhymes for undesirable →Frequently asked questions
What does “undesirable” mean?
The word “undesirable” means not wanted; unpleasant or likely to cause problems. In plain terms, not wanted, or likely to cause trouble.
How do you pronounce “undesirable”?
“Undesirable” is pronounced uhn-dih-ZEYE-ruh-buhl (/ˌʌndɪˈzaɪɹəbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “undesirable” in a sentence?
Here is “undesirable” used in a sentence: “The side effects of the drug were considered undesirable.”
What is the opposite of “undesirable”?
The opposite of “undesirable” — its antonyms — is desirable.
What part of speech is “undesirable”?
Depending on how it is used, “undesirable” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “undesirable” a common word?
“Undesirable” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “undesirable” have?
“Undesirable” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not wanted; unpleasant or likely to cause problems.
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