English Reference
Adjective

unwelcome

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ənˈwɛɫkəm/ UK /ʌnwˈɛlkʌm/ un·wel·come

adj.not wanted or not pleasant. You use this to describe things like bad news or people who are not invited.

adj.not wanted, pleasing, or welcome; causing a feeling of being unwanted or causing distress. Often used to describe abstract concepts like news, changes, or intrusions.


SIMPLE

The rain was an unwelcome surprise for the hikers.

CONTEXTUAL

The company's announcement of job cuts was unwelcome news for the employees just before the holidays.

COMPLEX

Despite the diplomat's efforts to remain neutral, his presence at the private meeting was clearly unwelcome to the local leaders who preferred to settle the matter internally.

Usage

Can be used both before a noun (attributive) and after a linking verb (predicative).

But some unwelcome guests can slip in along with their food.

Phys.org· 19 Aug 2026

After all, these ‘warm’ and ‘inflexible’ people kept arguing with their opponents even when it was unwelcome.

Aeon· 18 Aug 2026

From Middle English unwelcome, unwelcum; equivalent to un- + welcome.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Middle English unwelcome
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated