# undone

/ənˈdən/ (US) · /ʌndˈʌn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/undone
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. not fastened

adjective · CEFR B1

not tied, zipped, or buttoned.

For teachers: not fastened or secured; typically used of clothing, shoelaces, or physical restraints.

- You should tie your laces because they have come undone.
- He walked through the terminal with his coat undone, oblivious to the cold wind blowing through the open doors.

### 2. not finished

adjective · CEFR B2

not yet completed or performed.

For teachers: not performed or completed; remaining in an unfinished state.

- I cannot go out tonight because I still have so much work left undone.
- The audit revealed several critical tasks left undone by the previous management team, leading to significant delays in the project.

### 3. ruined or upset

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

feeling very upset or having your life or plans destroyed.

For teachers: brought to a state of ruin or emotional collapse.

- The bad news left him completely undone.
- The protagonist found himself utterly undone by the betrayal, realizing that his years of loyalty had been met with calculated deception.

## Examples

- Your shoelaces are undone.
- He didn't realize his top button was undone until he looked in the mirror before the interview.
- The package arrived with the ribbons undone and the wrapping paper torn, suggesting it had been handled roughly during transit.

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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.