Word
unsound
Phoneticsun·sound, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈsaʊnd/
UK/ʌnsˈaʊnd/
Definition
adj. not healthy or strong. It can also describe an idea or plan that is not based on good facts or logic.
adj. lacking physical health or structural integrity; alternatively, based on faulty reasoning or evidence. Often used to describe financial or legal arguments that are invalid.
Examples
“The old bridge is unsound and needs to be replaced.”
“The judge ruled that the evidence was unsound because it was obtained without a proper warrant.”
“While the initial proposal seemed promising, a closer examination of the financial projections revealed that the entire business model was built on unsound assumptions about market growth.”
Examples
simple
“The old bridge is unsound and needs to be replaced.”
contextual
“The judge ruled that the evidence was unsound because it was obtained without a proper warrant.”
complex
“While the initial proposal seemed promising, a closer examination of the financial projections revealed that the entire business model was built on unsound assumptions about market growth.”
Etymology
From un- + sound.
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.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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QR code
englishreference.com/q/unsound