Word
undisciplined
Phoneticsundis·ci·plined
US/ənˈdɪsɪpɫɪnd/
UK/ʌndˈɪsɪplˌɪnd/
Definition
adj. not able to control your behaviour well, so you do not follow rules or plans. You use it for people or groups that act in a messy or careless way.
adj. lacking self-control, order, or obedience to rules and authority. Applies to people, behaviour, or groups that act without restraint or consistent training.
Examples
“The undisciplined team arrives late to every practice.”
“The new manager struggles with an undisciplined sales team that ignores deadlines and skips morning meetings.”
“Though talented, the orchestra sounded undisciplined in the final movement, with entrances scattered and tempo drifting as concentration faded.”
Examples
simple
“The undisciplined team arrives late to every practice.”
contextual
“The new manager struggles with an undisciplined sales team that ignores deadlines and skips morning meetings.”
complex
“Though talented, the orchestra sounded undisciplined in the final movement, with entrances scattered and tempo drifting as concentration faded.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “undisciplined” in context.
Verb
01. become undisciplined
“Without clear rules, the class quickly became undisciplined.”
verb + adj
02. consider undisciplined
“Many critics consider his management style undisciplined and careless.”
verb + adj
03. remain undisciplined
“Despite extra training, the squad remained undisciplined on the pitch.”
verb + adj
04. undisciplined in class
“Younger pupils are often undisciplined in class without firm guidance.”
adj + prep + noun
Adjective
05. chronically undisciplined
“The club sacked the coach because the players were chronically undisciplined.”
adv + adj
06. increasingly undisciplined
“Without a firm manager, the team grew increasingly undisciplined.”
adv + adj
07. totally undisciplined
“The substitute teacher found the class totally undisciplined and very noisy.”
adv + adj
Noun
08. undisciplined behaviour
“The school will not tolerate undisciplined behaviour in lessons.”
adj + noun
09. undisciplined child
“He was an undisciplined child who rarely followed instructions.”
adj + noun
10. a completely undisciplined performance
“The visitors produced a completely undisciplined performance and lost 3-0.”
11. crack down on undisciplined behaviour
“The new headteacher promised to crack down on undisciplined behaviour.”
12. grow dangerously undisciplined
“The debate grew dangerously undisciplined as members shouted over each other.”
Real-World Examples
“The new gangs in New York—similar to groups in Los Angeles and Washington—are primarily composed of undisciplined teenagers and young adults in their early twenties.” “He is an undisciplined politician who puts his personal interests above the nation’s, running an administration that has no coherent strategy for solving major problems.” “The issue is that those wielding weapons are utterly undisciplined and completely out of control,” Etymology
From un- + disciplined.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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