Word
unprotected
Phoneticsun·pro·tect·ed, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌənpɹəˈtɛktɪd/
UK/ʌnpɹətˈɛktɪd/
Definition
adj. not covered or kept safe from harm, weather, or danger. You use this when something has no shield or help to stop it from being hurt.
adj. lacking a physical or legal barrier against harm, damage, or exposure. Often used predicatively after 'be' or 'remain' to describe a state of vulnerability.
Examples
“You should not leave your skin unprotected in the sun.”
“The coastal village remained unprotected from the storm because the sea wall was still under construction.”
“Without a robust firewall and encrypted connection, your sensitive personal data remains unprotected against sophisticated cyberattacks that target public networks.”
Examples
simple
“You should not leave your skin unprotected in the sun.”
contextual
“The coastal village remained unprotected from the storm because the sea wall was still under construction.”
complex
“Without a robust firewall and encrypted connection, your sensitive personal data remains unprotected against sophisticated cyberattacks that target public networks.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'from' or 'against' to specify the source of danger.
Etymology
From un- + protected.
From unprotect + -ed.
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
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/unprotected