unwashed

American  

[uhn-wosht, -wawsht] / ʌnˈwɒʃt, -ˈwɔʃt /

adjective

1. not cleaned or purified by or as if by washing.

   unwashed dishes;

   the unwashed soul of a sinner.

2. pertaining to or characteristic of the common people; untutored, unsophisticated, or ignorant; plebeian.

   the power of the unwashed electorate.

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noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. an ignorant or lower-class group; rabble.

   The author claimed that the unwashed would not understand his books.

unwashed British  

/ ʌnˈwɒʃt /

adjective

1. not washed

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plural noun

1. humorous the masses

Etymology

Origin of unwashed

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; un- ¹ + wash ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Modi, as the Italian was affectionately called, was urbane, well-groomed and handsome, while Soutine was destitute, sickly and notoriously unwashed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Rhetorical listening means avoiding the urge to one-up the opponent or convert the unwashed masses.

From Salon • Sep. 17, 2025

One tip: Wash your greens and veggies and store them wet in their bags in the crisper drawer; keep your mushrooms and berries unwashed and dry in their bags until you use them.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2024

Some are passed down the generations - decades-old and unwashed - so "they contain the sweat, the economic struggles, the personal struggles, and the spirit of people", says Mahama.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2024

Over the years the odors of liquor and vomit, boiled cabbage and burned meat, unwashed clothes and mouse droppings have intermingled into a stench that brings tears to my eyes.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins