# unsanitary

/ənˈsænəˌtɛɹi/ (US) · /ʌnsˈænɪtəɹi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unsanitary
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Definition

not clean in a way that is bad for your health. You use this to describe places or things that have dirt, germs, or waste.

For teachers: not clean in a way that is detrimental to health or hygiene. Often describes environments or conditions that harbor pathogens or refuse.

## Examples

- The kitchen was so dirty that it was unsanitary.
- Health inspectors closed the restaurant because the kitchen was unsanitary and posed a risk of food poisoning.
- The rapid growth of the city led to the creation of unsanitary living conditions in the slums, where access to clean water and waste disposal was virtually nonexistent.

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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.