Word
unkind
Phoneticsun·kind, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈkaɪnd/
UK/ʌnkˈaɪnd/
Definition
adj. not kind or helpful. You use this to describe someone who is mean or something that is not fair.
adj. lacking kindness, compassion, or helpfulness; harsh or cruel. Often used to describe people, actions, or words that cause unnecessary distress.
Examples
“He made an unkind comment about my new haircut.”
“The manager's unkind treatment of the staff led to several people leaving the company.”
“While the criticism was technically accurate, the delivery was so unkind that it felt more like a personal attack than a professional suggestion for improvement.”
Examples
simple
“He made an unkind comment about my new haircut.”
contextual
“The manager's unkind treatment of the staff led to several people leaving the company.”
complex
“While the criticism was technically accurate, the delivery was so unkind that it felt more like a personal attack than a professional suggestion for improvement.”
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English unkynde; equivalent to un- + kind.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/unkind