unwanted
uhn-WON-tihd
Unwanted (adjective) means not wanted or welcome. Example: “The shelter takes in unwanted pets.”
adjective
1
Not wanted or welcome.
"When asked why the devices were retrofitted on older models instead of newer ones, Sarno said the MTA typically uses older car models when making modifications in case there are any unwanted effects."
— Nic F. Anderson, Tired of subway delays? The MTA wants to fix that by strapping Google smartphones to New York trains (2025)
"I rebuffed his unwanted advances."
"The shelter takes in unwanted pets."
"She deleted the unwanted emails before checking her inbox properly."
"He gave away his unwanted birthday presents to a local charity shop."
How to use unwanted
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething nobody asked for or nobody wants to keep.
Common pairings
unwanted pregnancy
unwanted guest
unwanted attention
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Word forms
- Plural
- unwanteds
- Comparative
- more unwanted
- Superlative
- most unwanted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The shelter takes in _____ pets.
Etymology
From un- (\"not\") plus wanted.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unwanted
See all rhymes for unwanted →Frequently asked questions
What does “unwanted” mean?
The word “unwanted” means not wanted or welcome. In plain terms, something nobody asked for or nobody wants to keep.
How do you pronounce “unwanted”?
“Unwanted” is pronounced uhn-WON-tihd (/ʌnˈwɒntɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “unwanted” in a sentence?
Here is “unwanted” used in a sentence: “The shelter takes in unwanted pets.”
What part of speech is “unwanted”?
“Unwanted” is an adjective.
Is “unwanted” a common word?
“Unwanted” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "unwanted" and "unnecessary"?
"Unwanted" means something is not wanted or welcome, focusing on the lack of desire for it, while "unnecessary" means something is not needed, focusing on necessity rather than desire. An item can be necessary but still unwanted, or unnecessary yet still desired.
What are common collocations with "unwanted"?
"Unwanted attention," "unwanted guests," and "unwanted items" are frequent collocations, all describing something present that is not welcome. It is often paired with nouns describing people, objects, or effects that intrude without invitation.
Is "unwanted" the same as "unloved"?
No, "unwanted" simply means not desired or welcome in a given situation, while "unloved" specifically implies a lack of affection or care, often toward a person. Something can be unwanted without any emotional connotation, such as unwanted junk mail.
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