# unincorporated

/ˌənɪnˈkɔɹpɝˌeɪtɪd/ (US) · /ˌʌnɪnkˈɔːpəɹˌeɪtɪd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unincorporated
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

not officially registered as a separate legal business. It also describes a place that is not part of any city or town.

For teachers: not officially registered as a legal entity or not part of any incorporated municipality. Often used to describe small businesses or rural areas.

## Examples

- The small shop is an unincorporated business.
- Living in an unincorporated area means you do not have access to the same public services as those in the city.
- While the firm operated as an unincorporated partnership for several years, it eventually decided to register as a limited liability company to protect its assets from potential lawsuits.

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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.