un|break|able /ʌ nbre I kəb ə l/
1 ADJ Unbreakable objects cannot be broken, usually because they are made of a very strong material. □ Tableware for outdoor use should ideally be unbreakable.
2 ADJ An unbreakable rule or limit must be obeyed. □ One unbreakable rule in our school is that no child can be tested without parental permission.
un|bridge|able /ʌ nbr I dʒəb ə l/ ADJ An unbridgeable gap or divide between two sides in an argument is so great that the two sides seem unlikely ever to agree. [JOURNALISM ] □ …the apparently unbridgeable gulf between the SIS and the Security Service. □ The gap between the President and his opponents is unbridgeable.
un|bri|dled /ʌ nbra I d ə ld/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe behaviour or feelings as unbridled , you mean that they are not controlled or limited in any way. □ …a tale of lust and unbridled passion.
un|bro|ken /ʌ nbroʊ kən/ ADJ If something is unbroken , it is continuous or complete and has not been interrupted or broken. □ …an unbroken run of 38 match wins. □ We've had ten days of almost unbroken sunshine.
un|buck|le /ʌ nbʌ k ə l/ (unbuckles , unbuckling , unbuckled ) VERB If you unbuckle something such as a belt or a shoe, you undo the buckle fastening it. □ [V n] He unbuckled his seat belt.
un|bur|den /ʌ nbɜː r d ə n/ (unburdens , unburdening , unburdened ) VERB If you unburden yourself or your problems to someone, you tell them about something which you have been secretly worrying about. □ [V pron-refl] I could see that it was doing him good to unburden himself. □ [V n + to ] Somehow he had to unburden his soul to somebody, and it couldn't be to Laura. □ [V pron-refl + of ] These women are keen to unburden themselves of guilty secrets. [Also V pron-refl, V n]
un|but|ton /ʌ nbʌ t ə n/ (unbuttons , unbuttoning , unbuttoned ) VERB If you unbutton an item of clothing, you undo the buttons fastening it. □ [V n] She had begun to unbutton her blouse. □ [V -ed] …his unbuttoned blue coat.
un|called for /ʌ nkɔː ld fɔː r / also uncalled-for ADJ If you describe a remark or criticism as uncalled for , you mean that it should not have been made, because it was unkind or unfair. □ I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. □ …Leo's uncalled-for remarks about her cousin.
un|can|ny /ʌ nkæ ni/ ADJ If you describe something as uncanny , you mean that it is strange and difficult to explain. □ …proudly holding his new baby, who bears an uncanny resemblance to him. □ I had this uncanny feeling that Alice was warning me. ● un|can|ni|ly /ʌ nkæ n I li/ ADV [usu ADV adj/adv] □ They have uncannily similar voices.
un|cared for /ʌ nkeə r d fɔː r / ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe people or animals as uncared for , you mean that they have not been looked after properly and as a result are hungry, dirty, or ill. □ …people who feel unwanted, unloved, and uncared for.
un|caring /ʌ nkeə r I ŋ/ ADJ If you describe someone as uncaring , you are critical of them for not caring about other people, especially people who are in a bad situation. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It portrays him as cold and uncaring. □ …this uncaring attitude towards the less well off.
un|ceas|ing /ʌnsiː s I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as unceasing , you are emphasizing that it continues without stopping. [EMPHASIS ] □ …his unceasing labours. ● un|ceas|ing|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Paul talked unceasingly from dawn to dusk.
un|cer|emo|ni|ous|ly /ʌ nser I moʊ niəsli/ ADV [ADV with v] If someone or something is removed, left, or put somewhere unceremoniously , this is done in a sudden or rude way that shows they are not thought to be important. □ She was unceremoniously dumped to be replaced by a leader who could win the election. □ He had to be bundled unceremoniously out of the way.
un|cer|tain /ʌnsɜː r t ə n/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ , ADJ wh/that] If you are uncertain about something, you do not know what you should do, what is going to happen, or what the truth is about something. □ [+ about ] He was uncertain about his brother's intentions. □ [+ of ] They were uncertain of the total value of the transaction. □ He stopped, uncertain how to put the question tactfully. □ With some hesitation and an uncertain smile, she held out her hand. ● un|cer|tain|ly ADV [usu ADV after v] □ He entered the hallway and stood uncertainly.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If something is uncertain , it is not known or definite. □ How far the republics can give practical help, however, is uncertain. □ It's uncertain whether they will accept the plan. □ Students all over the country are facing an uncertain future.
3 PHRASE If you say that someone tells a person something in no uncertain terms , you are emphasizing that they say it strongly and clearly so that there is no doubt about what they mean. [EMPHASIS ] □ She told him in no uncertain terms to go away.
un|cer|tain|ty /ʌnsɜː r t ə nti/ (uncertainties ) N‑VAR Uncertainty is a state of doubt about the future or about what is the right thing to do. □ …a period of political uncertainty. □ [+ of ] …the uncertainties of life on the West Coast.
un|chal|lenged /ʌ ntʃæ l I ndʒd/
1 ADJ [ADJ after v, ADJ n, v-link ADJ ] When something goes unchallenged or is unchallenged , people accept it without asking questions about whether it is right or wrong. □ These views have not gone unchallenged. □ …the unchallenged principle of parliamentary sovereignty.
2 ADJ [ADJ n, ADJ after v, v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone's position of authority is unchallenged , you mean that it is strong and no one tries to replace them. □ He is the unchallenged leader of the strongest republic. □ …the man who has led his party unchallenged for over thirty years.