un-

¹

1. a prefix meaning “not,” freely used as an English formative, giving negative or opposite force in adjectives and their derivative adverbs and nouns (unfair; unfairly; unfairness; unfelt; unseen; unfitting; unformed; unheard-of; un-get-at-able ), and less freely used in certain other nouns (unrest; unemployment ).

un-

²

1. a prefix freely used in English to form verbs expressing a reversal of some action or state, or removal, deprivation, release, etc. (unbend; uncork; unfasten , etc.), or to intensify the force of a verb already having such a meaning (unloose ).

un

³

Or 'un

[uhn]

pronoun

Dialect.

1. one.

   young uns; He's a bad un.

UN

⁴

Or U.N.

abbreviation

1. United Nations.

un-

¹

prefix

1. denoting reversal of an action or state

   uncover

   untangle

2. denoting removal from, release, or deprivation

   unharness

   unman

   unthrone

3. (intensifier)

   unloose

UN

²

abbreviation

1. United Nations

'un

³

/ ən /

pronoun

1. a spelling of one

   that's a big 'un

un-

⁴

prefix

1. (freely used with adjectives, participles, and their derivative adverbs and nouns: less frequently used with certain other nouns) not; contrary to; opposite of

   uncertain

   uncomplaining

   unemotionally

   untidiness

   unbelief

   unrest

   untruth

Usage

This spelling is intended to reflect a dialectal or informal pronunciation

Word History and Origins

Origin of un-¹

Middle English un-, on-, Old English; cognate with Dutch on-, Gothic, German un-, Old Norse ū-, ō-; akin to Latin in-, Greek an-, a-. See a- ⁶, an- ¹, in- ³

Origin of un-²

Middle English, Old English un-, on-; cognate with Gothic and-, Dutch ont-, German ent-; akin to Latin ante, Greek antí; ante-, anti-

Word History and Origins

Origin of un-¹

from Old English un-, on-; related to Gothic and-, German ent-, Latin ante

Origin of un-²

from Old English on-, un-; related to Gothic on-, German un-, Latin in-

Synonym Study

See in- ³.

Example Sentences

The UN report said the two groups targeted civilians in numerous ways and as deliberate strategies.

From BBC

The UN and aid groups have warned that the offensive is already having "horrific humanitarian consequences" for displaced families sheltering in the city, which is home to a million people and where a famine was confirmed last month.

From BBC

UN humanitarian officials have warned that the impact of a full-blown offensive would be "beyond catastrophic".

From BBC

According to the UN, more than 1.9 million Gazans - about 90% of the population - have been displaced by the Israeli military campaign.

From BBC

According to the UN, hundreds of thousands of people displaced by fighting had returned to northern Gaza earlier this year after the Israeli military opened a corridor from the south of the strip during the short-lived ceasefire agreement.

From BBC