# unarmed

/əˈnɑɹmd/ (US) · /ʌnˈɑːmd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unarmed
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. without weapons

adjective · CEFR B2

not carrying or using any weapons like guns or knives.

For teachers: lacking weapons or means of physical defence; typically used of persons or groups.

- The police realized the suspect was unarmed and lowered their guns.
- International law provides specific protections for unarmed civilians during times of conflict, though these are frequently violated in modern warfare.

### 2. without thorns or claws

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

not having thorns, stingers, or sharp claws to defend itself.

For teachers: lacking natural defensive appendages such as thorns, spines, or talons.

- This specific type of cactus is unarmed and safe to touch.
- The botanist noted that the specimen was entirely unarmed, lacking the characteristic prickles found on related species in the same genus.

### 3. without a telescope

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic

using only your eyes to see, without the help of a telescope or microscope.

For teachers: referring to vision or observation conducted without the aid of optical instruments.

- In the old book, the sailor described seeing the distant island with his unarmed eye.
- The eighteenth-century astronomer recorded several celestial phenomena that were barely perceptible to the unarmed vision of his assistants.

Usage: In modern English, 'naked eye' is almost always used instead of 'unarmed eye'.

## Examples

- The police officer realized the suspect was unarmed.
- The security protocol requires guards to remain unarmed while patrolling the public library to maintain a friendly atmosphere.
- Witnesses testified that the individual was unarmed and posed no immediate physical threat to the bystanders when the altercation began.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.