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

abbreviation for

1. United Nations

'un

²

/ ən /

pronoun

1. a spelling of one

   that's a big 'un

un-

³

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-

⁴

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

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 on-, un-; related to Gothic on-, German un-, Latin in-

Origin of un-²

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

Synonym Study

See in- ³.

Example Sentences

Since then Israeli attacks have killed more than 1,650 people, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry says, including 36 strikes that killed only women and children according to the UN human rights office.

From BBC

It claims there is no shortage of aid because 25,000 lorry loads of supplies entered during the ceasefire, despite the UN warning of "devastating" consequences.

From BBC

He said Israel would continue its six-week blockade of humanitarian aid to pressure Hamas to release hostages, despite the UN warning of "devastating" consequences.

From BBC

The UN has said 69% of the territory is now under active Israeli military evacuation orders, within a "no-go" zone running along the borders with Israel and Egypt and the Wadi Gaza valley south of Gaza City, or both.

From BBC

However, UN agencies strongly reject the claim and suggest the blockade could breach international humanitarian law.

From BBC