unbend 1502
un·bend /ʌnˈbend/ v -bent /'bent/ 1 [I;T] to (cause to) become straight 2 [I] to behave in a less formal and severe manner; RELAX: She finds it hard to unbend, even at parties. -> compare UNWIND
un·bend·ing /ʌnˈbendɪŋ/ adj unable or unwilling to change one's opinions, decisions etc: an unbending will | a stern unbending man
un·bid·den /ˌʌnˈbɪdn/ adj especially lit not asked for or expected; uninvited
un·bind /ˌʌnˈbaɪnd/ v -bound /'baʊnd/ [T] to loosen the fastenings of; free from something that ties or wraps
un·bleached /ˌʌnˈbliːtʃt/ adj not treated with a chemical BLEACH. The demand for unbleached products has grown because they are thought to be better for the environment: an unbleached cotton T-shirt | unbleached coffee filters
un·blem·ished /ʌnˈblemɪʃt/ adj not spoilt, especially by a fault or bad action: an unblemished reputation
un·blink·ing /ʌnˈblɪŋkɪŋ/ adj not showing emotion or uncertainty
un·born /ˌʌnˈbɔrn || -ɔːrn/ adj not yet born or existing: the rights of the unborn child | generations yet unborn
un·bos·om /ˌʌnˈbʊzəm/ v [T(to)] fml or lit to tell the secret feelings, especially troubles and worries, of (oneself)
un·bound·ed /ʌnˈbaʊndəd/ adj especially lit limitless; far-reaching: unbounded joy
un·bowed /ˌʌnˈbaʊd/ adj especially lit not defeated: They left the battlefield bloody but unbowed. (=wounded but not beaten)
un·bri·dled /ʌnˈbraɪdld/ adj especially lit not controlled and too active or violent: His unbridled tongue (=speech) has often got him into trouble. | unbridled lust
un·buck·le /ˌʌnˈbʌkl/ v [T] to undo by loosening a BUCKLE: He unbuckled his belt.
un·bur·den /ˌʌnˈbɜrdn-ɜr-/ v [T(of)] fml 1 to take away a load or worry from: A servant hurried to unburden him of his bags. 2 to free (oneself, one's mind etc) by talking about a secret trouble: She unburdened herself of her terrible secret.
un·cal·cu·lat·ed /ʌnˈkælkjəleɪtɪd/ adj not planned in advance; SPONTANEOUS
un·called-for /ʌnˈkɔːld fːr/ adj not deserved, necessary, or right: His rudeness was quite uncalled-for. | an uncalled-for intrusion
un·can·ny /ʌnˈkæni/ adj very strange or mysterious; not natural or usual: He bore an uncanny resemblance to my dead brother. | She's got an uncanny knack of anticipating what you're going to tell her. —nily adv
un·cer·e·mo·ni·ous /ˌʌnsɛrˈməʊniəs/ adj 1 not done politely; rudely quick: She finished the meal with unceremonious haste. | He made an unceremonious exit. 2 informal; without ceremony —ly adv: He was kicked out unceremoniously into the street. —ness n [U]
un·cer·tain /ʌnˈsɜrtən-ɜr-/ adj 1 [F(of)] not certain; doubtful: I'm uncertain of his intentions. | [+wh-] I'm uncertain how to get there. 2 [F] undecided or unable to decide: Our holiday plans are still uncertain. 3 likely to change: uncertain weather 4 in no uncertain terms very clearly, and perhaps rudely: I told him in no uncertain terms what I thought of him. —ly adv: He felt his way uncertainly down the dark passage. —ty, ~ness n [C;U] the uncertainties of life | I believe there's some uncertainty (about) whether she's coming.
un·certainty principle, the the scientific law explaining that it is impossible to know both the speed and position of an ELEMENTARY PARTICLE. The more exactly that one is determined, the less exactly the other can be.
un·char·i·ta·ble /ʌnˈtʃærɪtəbl/ adj not kind, helpful, or fair in judging others; too severe: It was rather uncharitable of you to comment on her large nose. | an uncharitable refusal —bly adv
un·chart·ed /ʌnˈtʃɑːrtʃɑːrd-ɑːr-/ adj especially lit (of a place) not known well enough for records, especially maps, to be made: sailing into uncharted waters | the uncharted forests of Brazil -> see also CHART
un·checked /ˌʌnˈtʃekt/ adj 1 not prevented from moving, developing, etc: an unchecked flow of blood -> see also CHECK 2 not tested for quality, correctness etc: The goods should not have left the factory unchecked. -> see also CHECK
un·chris·tian /ʌnˈkrɪstʃən, -tiən/ adj fml not kind, helpful, generous etc. Many people would avoid using this word when speaking of somebody who is not a Christian: unchristian behaviour | That's a rather unchristian thing to say, isn't it?
un·civ·il /ʌnˈsɪvl/ adj rude; bad-mannered: uncivil remarks/ behaviour
un·clas·si·fied /ʌnˈklæsɪfaɪd/ adj 1 not arranged in any particular order: unclassified football results 2 (of information) not secret or sensitive: not on the SECURITY list
un·cle /ˈʌkl/ n 1 (often cap.) the brother of one's father or mother, or the husband of one's aunt: He's my uncle. | Take me swimming, Uncle (Jack)! -> see USAGE 2 a man whose brother or sister has a child: My sister had a little boy yesterday, so I'm now an uncle! 3 a man who is a friend or neighbour of a small child or its parents 4 say uncle AmE infml to admit defeat; give up -> see also DUTCH UNCLE
USAGE We can use uncle, auntie/aunty, and (less commonly) aunt when addressing the people directly: How are you, uncle/auntie? We can also add the person's first name with uncle, aunt, and (less commonly) auntie/aunty: Good morning, Uncle John/ Aunt Margaret. -> see also FATHER (USAGE)
un·clean /ˌʌnˈkliːn/ adj 1 not pure, especially according to religious belief, often because of a condition of the body which may infect others: In ancient times lepers were thought unclean. 2 bibl (especially in the Jewish religion) (of an animal) that must not be eaten —ness n [U]
un·clear /ˌʌnˈklɪər/ adj not clear or plain; difficult to see, understand etc: an unclear picture/explanation | I'm rather unclear about what I'm doing here.
Uncle Sam
Uncle Re·mus /ˌʌkl ˈriːməs/ a character in the children's stories about BRER RABBIT by the US writer, Joel Chandler Harris. In the books, Uncle Remus is the NARRATOR (=the character who tells the stories).
Uncle Sam /ˌʌŋkl ˈsæm/ infml the US or the US government: The UN continues to be dependent on the generosity of Uncle Sam. | movie stars from the land of Uncle Sam
I WANT YOU FOR U.S. ARMY NEAREST RECRUITING STATION
CULTURAL NOTE Uncle Sam first appeared in the 1800s, especially on POSTERS asking people to join the army. He is usually shown pointing his finger and saying 'Uncle Sam needs you!' His TOP HAT and clothes are always decorated with the STARS AND STRIPES from the US flag. Political CARTOONS use his picture to represent the US, and newspapers often use the expression 'Uncle Sam' to mean the US government.
Uncle Tom n 1 the main character in the book Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852) by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom is an African-American SLAVE who is treated badly by his owner. 2 AmE derog an offensive word used by African Americans to describe an African American who is too friendly or respectful to white people
Uncle Tom Cobleigh -> see COBLEIGH, OLD UNCLE TOM
un·com·fort·a·ble /ʌnˈkʌmftəbl, -ˈkʌmfət-||-ˈkʌmfərt -ˈkʌmft-/ adj 1 not comfortable: an uncomfortable chair | I'm uncomfortable in this chair. 2 troubled by one's situation especially one's position in relation to others; embarrass (EMBARRASS); ILL AT EASE: He felt uncomfortable when his parents started arguing in front of him. —bly adv
un·com·mit·ted /ˌʌnkəˈmtɪd/ adj [(to)] not having firmly decided or promised to support a particular group, political belief, course of action etc
un·com·mon /ʌnˈkɒmən||ˈkɑː-/ adj unusual