adjective Uncommon

unintended

uhn-ihn-TEHN-dihd

Unintended (adjective) means not planned or meant to happen. Example: “The policy had several unintended consequences.”

adjective

Not planned or meant to happen.

"The policy had several unintended consequences."

"It was an unintended side effect of the medication."

How to use unintended

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHappened by accident, not because anyone planned it that way.

Common pairings

unintended consequences unintended effect

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Can you complete this real example?

The policy had several _____ consequences.

From un- + intended.

intended

designed proposed intended aimed

ended bended blended amended defended extended intended attended expended pretended distended suspended

What does “unintended” mean?

The word “unintended” means not planned or meant to happen. In plain terms, happened by accident, not because anyone planned it that way.

How do you pronounce “unintended”?

“Unintended” is pronounced uhn-ihn-TEHN-dihd (/ˌʌn.ɪnˈtɛn.dɪd/ in IPA).

How do you use “unintended” in a sentence?

Here is “unintended” used in a sentence: “The policy had several unintended consequences.”

What is the opposite of “unintended”?

The opposite of “unintended” — its antonyms — is intended.

What part of speech is “unintended”?

“Unintended” is an adjective.

Is “unintended” a common word?

“Unintended” is an uncommon word in modern English.

Vocabulary lists that include unintended:

designed proposed intended aimed