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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 notes

In plain EnglishNot wanted, or likely to cause trouble.

Easily confused with

Word forms

more undesirable comparative, undesirables plural, most undesirable superlative

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The side effects of the drug were considered _____.

Etymology

From un- plus desirable.

Antonyms

Related words

Rhymes for undesirable

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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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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial