unnatural
1512
un·nat·u·ral /ʌn'nætʃərəl/ adj 1 not natural; different from what is usual or expected: a pearl of unnatural size and beauty | It's not unnatural that she should feel annoyed. 2 derog against ordinary and generally accepted ways of behaving: unnatural sexual practices 3 not sincere: an unnatural laugh/manner —ly adv: an unnaturally large head | He had expected, not unnaturally, that she would be there to meet him.
un·ne·ces·sa·ry /ʌn'nesəsərɪl–seri/ adj not necessary or wanted; additional to what is needed or expected: Don't bring any unnecessary luggage. | That was an unnecessary remark; it would have been better not to mention her ex-husband. —rily /ʌn'nesəsərɪli,ʌn–nesə'serəli/ adv: an unnecessarily severe punishment
un·nerve /ˌʌn'nɜːrv||–3ːrv/ v [T] to take away (someone's) courage or confidence: an unnerving experience | The experience completely unnerved me.
un·num·bered /ˌʌn'nʌmbəd,||–ərd/ adj 1 not having a number marked: an unnumbered Swiss bank account 2 especially lit too many to be counted
UNO, the /'juːnəʊ/ abbrev. for the United Nations Organization → see UN
un·ob·tru·sive /ˌʌnəb'truːsɪv/ adj usually apprec not very noticeable or easily seen: He's a quiet unobtrusive student, but he always does well in exams. —ly adv: The new office block blends unobtrusively with its surroundings. —ness n [U]
un·of·fi·cial /ˌʌnə'fɪʃəl/ adj not official: an unofficial meeting | It's unofficial (=has not yet been officially stated) but I know he's got the job. —ly adv
,unofficial 'strike n a STRIKE which has not been approved in advance by the TRADE UNION involved
un·o·pened /ʌn'əʊpənd/ adj an unopened package, letter etc has not been opened yet: The letter was returned to us unopened.
un·or·tho·dox /ʌn'ɔːθədɒks||ʌn'ɔːrθədoːks/ adj different from usual or ordinary beliefs, methods etc: He's got a very unorthodox style of playing tennis, but he usually wins. | unorthodox opinions | an unorthodox form of medical treatment → compare HETERODOX
un·pack /ʌn'pæk/ v 1 [T] to remove (possessions) from (a container): Have you unpacked (your clothes/your suitcase) yet? 2 [T] tech to change (information stored in a computer) into a form that takes up more space but is easier to understand 3 [T] infml to make (a word or statement) more clear by showing or telling parts of it that are not understood: Could you unpack that remark about my sister's boyfriend?
un·paid /ˌʌn'peɪd/ adj 1 which has not been paid: I'm just the unpaid maid in this house. | an unpaid bill 2 (used of work etc) done without receiving payment: unpaid voluntary work
un·pal·at·a·ble /ʌn'pælətəbəl/ adj fml unpleasant and difficult for the mind to accept: Sometimes the truth is unpalatable.
un·par·al·leled /ʌn'pærəleld/ adj fml too great to be equalled: an unparalleled success | a period of unparalleled economic prosperity
un·par·lia·men·ta·ry /ˌʌnpɑlə'mentərɪl–paːr–/ adj tech (of an action or remark in a parliament) not in accordance with the accepted rules of behaviour in parliament → compare PARLIAMENTARY
,UN 'peacekeeping ,force n a group of soldiers from several different countries, who are sent by the UN to places where there has been a war, in order to prevent fighting from starting again. They are known for wearing light-blue BERETS (=a soft, flat military hat).
un·pick /ʌn'pɪk/ v [T] to take out (the stitches) from (something): First unpick the old stitches/the seams.
un·placed /ˌʌn'pleɪst/ adj BrE not one of the first three to finish in a race or competition
un·play·a·ble /ʌn'pleɪəbəl/ adj 1 (of music) too difficult to be played 2 (of a ball in sports) too well thrown, hit etc, to be hit back; too difficult to hit 3 (of a piece of ground used for sports) not suitable for playing on
un·pleas·ant /ʌn'plezənt/ adj causing dislike, annoyance, or displeasure; not pleasant or enjoyable; DISAGREEABLE: unpleasant smells/weather | an unpleasant experience/job | The bad sales figures came as an unpleasant surprise. | He was very unpleasant to me (=rude or unkind) when I asked him for his advice. —ly adv —ness n [C,U] Don't let the recent unpleasantness spoil our friendship!
un·plug /ʌn'plʌg/ v [T] 1 to disconnect (an electrical apparatus) from an electric CIRCUIT by removing a PLUG: I've unplugged the TV set. 2 to remove (e.g. an electric PLUG) from its SOCKET: Unplug the cable from the back of the computer.
un·plugged /ʌn'plʌgd/ adj a musical performance that is unplugged is one played using ACOUSTIC (=non-electric) instruments, performed by a ROCK or POP group who normally use electric instruments
un·plumbed /ˌʌn'plʌmd/ adj not known about because of not having been examined or explored (EXPLORE): exploring the unplumbed depths of personality
un·pre·ce·dent·ed /ʌn'presɪdəntɪd/ adj never having happened before: unprecedented rainfall/price increases → see also PRECEDENT —ly adv
un·pre·dict·a·ble /ˌʌnpri'dɪktəbəl/ adj 1 that cannot be predicted (PREDICT): the unpredictable consequences of a major war 2 (of a person) tending to show sudden unexpected changes in behaviour, ideas etc; not dependable or STABLE
un·pre·pos·ses·sing /ˌʌnpriːpə'zesɪŋ/ adj not immediately noticeable; ordinary: an unprepossessing man/building
un·pre·ten·tious /ˌʌnpri'tenʃəs/ adj apprec not attempting to seem special, important, wealthy etc; without PRETENSION: It's an unpretentious little house but very elegantly furnished. —ly adv —ness n [U]
un·prin·ci·pled /ʌn'prɪnsɪpəld/ adj fml (done) without regard to moral values, standards of honourable behaviour etc; UNSCRUPULOUS: unprincipled behaviour | an unprincipled scoundrel → see also PRINCIPLE
un·print·a·ble /ʌn'prɪntəbəl/ adj (of words) too offensive to be printed, especially in a newspaper: Her reply was unprintable.
un·pro·fes·sion·al /ˌʌnprə'feʃənəl/ adj derog not typical of the standard which is expected in a particular profession or activity: unprofessional conduct | It was unprofessional of you not to check the facts before issuing the statement. | a very unprofessional piece of work —ly adv
un·prompt·ed /ʌn'prɒmptɪd||ʌn'prɑːmp–/ adj fml, often apprec done or produced without being asked for, suggested etc SPONTANEOUS: her unprompted generosity
un·pro·voked /ˌʌnprə'vəʊkt/ adj (especially of a bad action) not caused or forced by another action; without PROVOCATION: an unprovoked attack
un·pun·ished /ʌn'pʌnʃt/ adj [F] not given any punishment: Their behaviour cannot be allowed to go unpunished
un·put·down·a·ble /ˌʌnpʊt'daʊnəbəl/ adj BrE humor an unputdownable book is very interesting and exciting
un·qual·i·fied /ʌn'kwɒlɪfaɪd||–'kwɑː–/ adj 1 [(for)] not having suitable knowledge or QUALIFICATIONS: unqualified school-leavers | [F+to-v] I am quite unqualified to talk on this subject. 2 not limited; complete: It was an unqualified success.
un·quench·a·ble /ʌn'kwentʃəbəl/ adj an unquenchable desire is one that is impossible to satisfy: the seemingly unquenchable thirst (=desire) for Western art
un·ques·tion·a·ble /ʌn'kwestʃənəbəl/ adj which cannot be doubted; certain; INDISPUTABLE: His keenness is unquestionable, but he may not be experienced enough. → compare QUESTIONABLE —bly adv: unquestionably the best tennis player in the country
un·ques·tion·ing /ʌn'kwestʃənɪŋ/ adj without any doubt, delay, or argument: an unquestioning trust in God | unquestioning obedience
un·qui·et /ʌn'kwaɪət/ adj especially lit not calm or at rest: An unquiet stillness hung over the countryside as the thunder clouds gathered.