unabridged

American  

[uhn-uh-brijd] / ˌʌn əˈbrɪdʒd /

adjective

1. not abridged or shortened, as a book.

   Synonyms:

   uncondensed, uncut, complete, entire

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noun

1. a dictionary that has not been reduced in size by omission of terms or definitions; the most comprehensive edition of a given dictionary.

unabridged British  

/ ˌʌnəˈbrɪdʒd /

adjective

1. (of a book, speech, etc) not reduced in length by condensing

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Etymology

Origin of unabridged

1590–1600; un- ¹ + abridged

Explanation

When a book is unabridged it's the whole thing, with nothing cut out. If you're seeking a definition for a very unusual word, you may need to look in an unabridged dictionary. To "abridge" something is to shorten it, so an unabridged edition has not been shortened. I can see that the short version of Shakespeare's works is easier to carry around, but if you want to enjoy every line, read the unabridged version. Unabridged is almost always used to describe books, but you can use it for spoken tales as well. You might not be so excited to hear the unabridged account of your sister's day at the mall.

Example Sentences

As Ms. Stamper observes, “creating an unabridged dictionary is, at its core, a lesson in futility.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

But the big attraction was the bonus tracks, including the unabridged, 10-minute version of her break-up ballad All Too Well - described by Variety magazine as the "holy grail" of the star's back catalogue.

From BBC • May 30, 2025

Voters would be winners by hearing unabridged arguments from both sides.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2023

Recently, publisher Simon & Schuster released an unabridged audiobook of the title, along with a series of Peale’s other volumes of encouragement.

From Washington Times • Oct. 6, 2022

The unabridged biography of the designer, Toru Iwatani.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline