Word
unwanted
Phoneticsun·want·ed, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈwɔntɪd/
UK/ʌnwˈɒntɪd/
Definitions
01not desired or needed
B1 · Intermediate
adj. not wanted, needed, or welcome.
adj. not desired, required, or welcome; often used to describe physical objects, attention, or social situations.
“She received a lot of unwanted advice from people who didn't understand her situation.”
“The charity works to find homes for unwanted pets that have been abandoned by their previous owners.”
Usage
Commonly precedes the noun it modifies, such as 'unwanted attention' or 'unwanted gifts'.
02unwelcome people
C2 · Proficiency Plural noun Literary · Formal
n. people who are not wanted or are ignored by society.
n. individuals who are considered undesirable or are marginalized by a particular group or society.
“The old laws were designed to keep the unwanteds out of the city center.”
“The novel depicts a dystopian future where the state systematically removes the unwanteds from the urban population.”
Teaching tip
This noun use is rare in modern conversation; learners will mostly encounter it in literature or formal social commentary.
Synonyms
Etymology
From un- + wanted.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
- 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/unwanted