English Reference
Adjective

unprepared

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌənpɹiˈpɛɹd/ UK /ʌnpɹɪpˈeəd/ un·pre·pared

adj.not ready for something that is about to happen. You feel this way when you haven't done the work or planning needed for a task.

adj.not ready or equipped to deal with a particular situation or task. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'feel', 'seem', or 'appear'.


SIMPLE

I felt completely unprepared for the difficult exam.

CONTEXTUAL

The small coastal town was caught unprepared when the storm suddenly changed direction and intensified.

COMPLEX

Entering the negotiations unprepared can lead to significant concessions that undermine the long-term viability of the partnership.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'for' or a to-infinitive.

Pitfall
I am unprepared of the testI am unprepared for the test

The adjective 'unprepared' collocations with 'for', not 'of'.

They said this had left ministers locked in an unenviable task of persuading unprepared voters to cut welfare spending to fund defence.

The Guardian· 5 Sept 2026

The Australians were woefully unprepared for the breakout, despite receiving a warning that June from a Korean prisoner who’d overheard whispers of impending unrest.

Smithsonian Magazine· 5 Aug 2026

Etymology 1

From un- + prepared.

Etymology 2

From unprepare + -ed.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated