unspoken

[ uhn-spoh-kuhn ]

adjective

1. implied or understood without being spoken or uttered.
2. not addressed (usually followed by to ).
3. not talking; silent.

unspoken

/ ʌnˈspəʊkən /

adjective

1. understood without needing to be spoken; tacit
2. not uttered aloud

Word History and Origins

Origin of unspoken¹

First recorded in 1325–75, unspoken is from the Middle English word unspokyn. See un- ¹, spoken

Example Sentences

The unspoken kindness and indifference with which people would elbow past each other, occasionally trampling on each other’s feet on their way in and out of the train, is a lesson in letting go I update myself with every time I’m back in Mumbai.

From Nautilus

As the unspoken feelings between them become evident, the most important relationship in the film emerges.

From Washington Blade

On a more subtextual level, it could refer to the unspoken tensions that underlie their brief, emotionally strained interactions.

From Washington Post

Currently, there’s an unspoken expectation that young gymnasts enter the Level 10 ranks by 8th or 9th grade, when they start being unofficially recruited, but a delayed timeline could shake up this schedule.

From FiveThirtyEight

The women and people of color who were admitted into these spaces did so with an unspoken caveat that they would make themselves amenable to the status quo.

From Time

The unspoken question from his son and the thousands of other kids was, “Could it happen to you?”

From The Daily Beast

The unspoken controversy surrounding Hall lies in that he is challenging the status quo, which is cherished in Texas.

From The Daily Beast

She refused to participate in political bribery, which is the unspoken prerequisite backbone of this world.

From The Daily Beast

Flagrant anti-Semitism fell out of favor and was replaced by a closeted, unspoken bigotry.

From The Daily Beast

The threat of Ebola is incredibly real, and though mostly unspoken, it is a concern for many across The Gambia.

From The Daily Beast

“Well, I hope he does,” sighed Sol, the sigh being breathed to give expression of what remained unspoken.

From Project Gutenberg

For a split second something leaped unspoken between them, as if doors in both their minds had opened and closed again.

From Project Gutenberg

He took his leave respectfully, and the three generous souls felt his unspoken gratitude.

From Project Gutenberg

Notwithstanding Thurstane's shyness and silences, she discovered his moral weight and gathered his unspoken meanings.

From Project Gutenberg

The afternoon wore heavily away in the unspoken anguish of love and pride and suspicion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• implicit
• implied
• tacit