un
pronoun
one.
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un
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UN
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un-
un-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 ).
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'un
un
1 American
[uhn]
/ ən /
Or
'un
pronoun
Dialect.
UN
2
American
Or
U.N.
abbreviation
un-
3
American
un-
4
American
un-
1
British
prefix
-
denoting reversal of an action or state
uncover
untangle
-
denoting removal from, release, or deprivation
unharness
unman
unthrone
-
(intensifier)
unloose
UN
2
British
abbreviation
'un
3
British
/ ən /
pronoun
un-
4
British
prefix
Usage
This spelling is intended to reflect a dialectal or informal pronunciation
Synonym Usage
See in- 3.
Etymology
Origin of un-3
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-4
Middle English, Old English un-, on-; cognate with Gothic and-, Dutch ont-, German ent-; akin to Latin ante, Greek antí; cf. ante-, anti-
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Nerves crept in, and as the match entered extra time, Spain began to fear that this final would go down as un robo, a robbery.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
He initially came into the spotlight with his 2016 breakthrough Latin-EDM hit “Traicionera” and the 2017 vallenato song “Robarte un Beso,” which he recorded alongside fellow parcero Carlos Vives.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2025
Even at the time, their crime was divisive - the first trial ended un a mistrial after the jury couldn't reach a verdict.
From BBC ● May 17, 2025
Even if some other upstart nationality makes a 500-foot baguette tomorrow, France will remain numéro un.
From New York Times ● May 6, 2024
“Nah, I ain’t angry at you. You still my pana. Dame un flan and three of those little cakes! So wha’ choo doin’ here, bro?” he asked.
From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez
The UN has called on all sides to guarantee safe and unhindered access to people in need.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
UN rights chief Volker Turk on Thursday urged Tennessee not to make a new attempt to execute Pike.
From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026
A recent UN report estimated that sustained counter-terrorism pressure by Iraqi security forces had left IS with several hundred fighters who were "able to carry out unsophisticated operations only".
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
Guyanese ex-foreign minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett narrowly led the second round of the secret process to pick the next UN chief.
From Barron's ● Sep. 29, 2026
Beatrice passed the time in the camp by standing in lines to apply for resettlement by the UN.
From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John
What fascinating characters “The English” has at the margins quickly cycle in and out of the miniseries — bad men and women whose motivations and backgrounds remain un- or underexplored.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2022
Efforts to reach the un- and under-vaccinated must continue.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 24, 2022
All of which is to say that in ways both subtle and not, intentional and un-, he has complicated his relationship with audiences, elaborated and often inverted the idea of Matt Damon.
From New York Times ● Jul. 27, 2021
Along with the vaccine rollout, some states have already been nixing restrictions, and the un- or semi-vaccinated among us are getting a little laxer with our safety calculations.
From Slate ● Apr. 6, 2021
But I didn’t want to appear un- civilized, so I pulled on my socks despite the fact that they were damp and clammy with sweat.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
The young ’un is Trey McKinney, a wiry prodigy who broke into Elite Series fishing in his teens and has twice finished runner-up for Angler of the Year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026
“I can tell a wrong ‘un a mile away.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2022
She said the experience had "sharpened her instinct" and that as a result she could "tell a wrong 'un a mile away".
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2022
In French, it’s called ‘un sot-l’y-laisse’—i.e., only an idiot leaves it behind.”
From Fox News ● Jul. 24, 2020
“No, but like they air a-sayin’ down in Newton, Matt’s young ’un made it plain that the fam’ly still sticks up fer Bill.”
From "Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
