unwholesome

[ uhn-hohl-suhm ]

adjective

1. not wholesome; unhealthful; deleterious to health or physical or moral well-being:

   unwholesome food; unwholesome activities.

   Synonyms: pernicious, noxious, insalubrious

2. not sound in health; unhealthy, especially in appearance; suggestive of disease:

   an unwholesome pallor.

unwholesome

/ ʌnˈhəʊlsəm /

adjective

1. detrimental to physical or mental health

   an unwholesome climate

2. morally harmful or depraved

   unwholesome practices

3. indicative of illness, esp in appearance
4. (esp of food) of inferior quality

Derived Forms

• unˈwholesomely, adverb
• unˈwholesomeness, noun

Other Words From

• un·wholesome·ly adverb
• un·wholesome·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unwholesome¹

Middle English word dating back to 1150–1200; un- ¹, wholesome

Example Sentences

“He stuffs himself with unwholesome treats that he hides in his bed. He is sly, my lady, and greedy and must be corrected. And all the foodstuffs in his bed are apt to attract vermin. Vermin, my lady.”

From Literature

“Show me these unwholesome treats he hides in his bed, Nanny Pratt,” she said grandly.

From Literature

One councilman, Howard Springsteen, said casinos bring “an unwholesome community.”

From Seattle Times

After MacColl’s death in 2000, the Pogues performed the tune live with other singers including MacGowan’s longtime friend Sinéad O’Connor, who died this past summer; since 2005, “Fairytale” has reentered the U.K. chart on an annual basis amid shifting opinions on the part of fans and broadcasters as to whether the gay slur should be censored or construed as the language of a desperate and unwholesome character.

From Los Angeles Times

"A side that makes the movie feel creepy and subtly unwholesome."

From Salon