unguarded

[ uhn-gahr-did ]

adjective

1. not guarded; guard; unprotected; undefended.

   Synonyms: defenseless

2. open; frank; guileless:

   an unguarded manner.

3. exposed to attack or capture by the opponent without recourse by the player, as a card, chess piece, etc.:

   an unguarded queen of clubs; an unguarded pawn.

4. not cautious or discreet; careless:

   In an unguarded moment he had told her about his affair.

   Synonyms: indiscreet

5. without a safeguard, as a cover, barrier, or shield, for protection:

   an unguarded buzz saw.

unguarded

/ ʌnˈɡɑːdɪd /

adjective

1. unprotected; vulnerable
2. guileless; open; frank
3. incautious or careless

Derived Forms

• unˈguardedness, noun
• unˈguardedly, adverb

Other Words From

• un·guarded·ly adverb
• un·guarded·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unguarded¹

First recorded in 1585–95; un- ¹ + guarded

Example Sentences

England defend very hard and fast and, because they are advancing up so fast towards the opposition, they are leaving rucks unguarded.

From BBC

To watch him when he was unguarded and not worried about — little did he know he was being observed.

From Salon

As for how the goal should be scored, the general rule has always been to not hoist the puck high into the net when skating in for an unguarded, close-range opportunity.

From Seattle Times

The fourth man hands him his weapon and they walk through the unguarded metal detectors towards the auditorium.

From BBC

The former Manchester United forward duly thumped the ball into an unguarded net from six yards out for her sixth league goal of the season.

From BBC

Related Words

• candid
• indiscreet
• offhand
• spontaneous