Word
unsaid
Phoneticsun·said, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈsɛd/
UK/ʌnsˈɛd/
Definition
adj. describes something that is thought or felt but not spoken out loud. You use this when people understand a situation without needing to say anything.
adj. not expressed in words; remaining unspoken despite being understood or felt. Often used to describe tension, agreements, or feelings that are communicated through context rather than speech.
Examples
“There was a lot of unsaid tension in the room.”
“Although they never signed a contract, there was an unsaid agreement that they would share the profits equally.”
“The most poignant moments of the play were the unsaid grievances that hung between the two brothers, visible only in their refusal to meet each other's gaze.”
Examples
simple
“There was a lot of unsaid tension in the room.”
contextual
“Although they never signed a contract, there was an unsaid agreement that they would share the profits equally.”
complex
“The most poignant moments of the play were the unsaid grievances that hung between the two brothers, visible only in their refusal to meet each other's gaze.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “unsaid” in context.
Verb
01. go unsaid
“It goes unsaid that safety is our number one priority.”
verb + adj
02. leave unsaid
“There was a lot of tension in the room, but they chose to leave it unsaid.”
verb + adj
03. remain unsaid
“The most important questions often remain unsaid during these meetings.”
verb + adj
Adjective
04. better left unsaid
“Some things are better left unsaid to avoid hurting anyone's feelings.”
adv + adj
05. largely unsaid
“The real reasons for his resignation remained largely unsaid.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. much left unsaid
“After their brief conversation, there was still much left unsaid between them.”
det + verb + adj
07. leave a lot unsaid
“Her short email left a lot unsaid about what actually happened at the party.”
08. some things best left unsaid
“In a long marriage, there are some things that are best left unsaid.”
Usage
Typically used as an adjective before a noun or after a linking verb like 'remain'.
Real-World Examples
“When communication is incomplete, the brain does not remain neutral. Cognitive psychology indicates that humans are inherently pattern-seeking. When words are left unsaid, the mind actively tries to infer meaning.” “How to understand what is left unsaid and start saying what needs to be said.” “These unspoken cues–what I call the unsaid–often reveal more than words ever could, offering deeper insights into the thoughts and emotions that people might not openly express.” “What is being said matters; what is left unsaid matters alongside it.” Etymology
From un- + said, first attested in the 14th century as a past-participial adjective.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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