un-

¹

1. a prefix meaning “not,” freely used as an English formative, giving negative or opposite force in adjectives and their derivative adverbs and nouns ( unfair; unfairly; unfairness; unfelt; unseen; unfitting; unformed; unheard-of; un-get-at-able ), and less freely used in certain other nouns ( unrest; unemployment ).

un-

²

1. a prefix freely used in English to form verbs expressing a reversal of some action or state, or removal, deprivation, release, etc. ( unbend; uncork; unfasten , etc.), or to intensify the force of a verb already having such a meaning ( unloose ).

un

³

or 'un

[ uhn ]

pronoun

, Dialect.

1. one:

   young uns; He's a bad un.

UN

⁴

or U.N.

abbreviation for

1. United Nations ( def 1 ).

un-

¹

prefix forming verbs and verbal derivatives

1. denoting reversal of an action or state

   uncover

   untangle

2. denoting removal from, release, or deprivation

   unharness

   unthrone

   unman

3. (intensifier)

   unloose

un-

²

prefix

1. freely used with adjectives, participles, and their derivative adverbs and nouns: less frequently used with certain other nouns not; contrary to; opposite of

   untidiness

   uncertain

   unrest

   unbelief

   unemotionally

   uncomplaining

   untruth

UN

³

abbreviation for

1. United Nations

'un

⁴

/ ən /

pronoun

1. a spelling of one

   that's a big 'un

Usage

This spelling is intended to reflect a dialectal or informal pronunciation

Word History and Origins

Origin of un-¹

Middle English un-, on-, Old English; cognate with Dutch on-, Gothic, German un-, Old Norse ū-, ō-; akin to Latin in-, Greek an-, a-. See a- ⁶, an- ¹, in- ³

Origin of un-²

Middle English, Old English un-, on-; cognate with Gothic and-, Dutch ont-, German ent-; akin to Latin ante, Greek antí; ante-, anti-

Word History and Origins

Origin of un-¹

from Old English un-, on-; related to Gothic and-, German ent-, Latin ante

Origin of un-²

from Old English on-, un-; related to Gothic on-, German un-, Latin in-

Synonym Study

See in- ³.

Example Sentences

Other nominees such as his proposed ambassador to the UN, Elise Stefanik, have directly accused China of election interference.

From BBC

The UN’s climate talks have made significant progress in recent years, despite the fact that unanimous agreement is needed among almost 200 countries to take action.

From BBC

The United Nations' COP climate talks are "no longer fit for purpose" and need an urgent overhaul, key experts including a former UN secretary general and former UN climate chief have said.

From BBC

In a letter to the UN, senior figures say countries should not host the talks if they don’t support the phase out of fossil energy.

From BBC

About 1.9 million people - 90% of Gaza’s population - have fled their homes over the past year, and 79% of the territory is under Israeli-issued evacuation orders, according to the UN.

From BBC