unready

[ uhn-red-ee ]

adjective

1. not ready; not made ready:

   The new stadium is as yet unready for use.

2. not in a state of readiness; unprepared:

   emotionally unready for success.

3. lacking in presence of mind, as when a quick decision or a sharp answer is required:

   Awkward situations often found him unready.

4. British Dialect. not dressed.
5. not prompt or quick.

unready

/ ʌnˈrɛdɪ /

adjective

1. not ready or prepared
2. slow or hesitant to see or act
3. archaic.
   not dressed

Derived Forms

• unˈreadily, adverb
• unˈreadiness, noun

Other Words From

• un·readi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unready¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, unready is from the Middle English word unredy. See un- ¹, ready

Example Sentences

Apparently, its producer, the British Film Institute, deemed the public unready for Ové’s blunt depiction of the police violence and racial animus directed at London’s West Indian residents in Brixton.

From New York Times

In 2024, democracy will face a test for which it is unready.

From Seattle Times

Worst of all, these documents tell Putin that the Pentagon is dubious about prospects for Ukrainian success — for totally wrongheaded reasons — and is still unready to make that success possible.

From Seattle Times

As Beth, Sullivan delivers depth as the problem sister unready for the responsibilities thrust upon her and blanching at the destruction unfolding around her.

From Washington Post

They are children, as of yet unready to meet the demands of a relationship or a war, but they embrace the latter to deny the former.

From New York Times

Related Words

• heavy
• inactive
• lethargic
• listless
• slack
• slow
• stagnant