# unloved

/ənˈɫəvd/ (US) · /ʌnlˈʌvd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unloved
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

not loved or cared for by others. You use this to describe someone or something that is ignored or treated badly.

For teachers: devoid of love, affection, or care. Often used to describe individuals who have experienced emotional neglect or objects that are disregarded.

## Examples

- The unloved child felt invisible to his parents.
- The old house stood as a symbol of the unloved neighborhood, waiting for someone to give it a new purpose.
- In many classic tragedies, the protagonist is an unloved figure whose isolation eventually drives them to seek revenge against the society that rejected them.

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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.