2 ADJ If someone is unequal to a task they have to do, they do not have the abilities needed to do it well. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] He felt unequal to the job and wished there were someone he could go to for advice.
3 ADJ Unequal means being different in size, strength, or amount. □ The Egyptians probably measured their day in twenty-four hours of unequal length.
un|equalled /ʌ niː kwəld/ in AM, use unequaled ADJ If you describe something as unequalled , you mean that it is greater, better, or more extreme than anything else of the same kind. □ This record figure was unequalled for 13 years. □ …an unequalled level of service. □ …a feat unequaled in the history of polar exploration.
un|equivo|cal /ʌ n I kw I vək ə l/ ADJ If you describe someone's attitude as unequivocal , you mean that it is completely clear and very firm. [FORMAL ] □ …Richardson's unequivocal commitment to fair play. □ Yesterday, the message to him was unequivocaclass="underline" 'Get out.' ● un|equivo|cal|ly /ʌ n I kw I vəkli/ ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ Temperature records have unequivocally confirmed the existence of global warming.
un|err|ing /ʌ nɜː r I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone's judgment or ability as unerring , you mean that they are always correct and never mistaken. □ She has an unerring instinct for people's weak spots. ● un|err|ing|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ It was wonderful to watch her fingers moving deftly and unerringly.
un|escort|ed /ʌ n I skɔː t I d/ ADJ [ADJ n, ADJ after v, v-link ADJ ] If someone or something is unescorted , they are not protected or supervised. □ Unescorted children are not allowed beyond this point. □ They advise against foreign delegates wandering unescorted in various parts of town.
un|ethi|cal /ʌ ne θ I k ə l/ ADJ If you describe someone's behaviour as unethical , you think it is wrong and unacceptable according to a society's rules or people's beliefs. □ It's simply unethical to promote and advertise such a dangerous product.
un|even /ʌ niː v ə n/
1 ADJ An uneven surface or edge is not smooth, flat, or straight. □ He staggered on the uneven surface of the car park. □ …uneven teeth. ● un|even|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …wearing dresses that pinched at the armholes, that hung as unevenly as flags.
2 ADJ Something that is uneven is not regular or consistent. □ He could hear that her breathing was uneven. ● un|even|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The steaks were unevenly cooked.
3 ADJ If you describe something as uneven , you think it is not very good because it is not consistent in quality. □ This was, for him, an oddly uneven performance.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An uneven system or situation is unfairly arranged or organized. □ Some of the victims are complaining loudly about the uneven distribution of emergency aid. □ It was an uneven contest. ● un|even|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Within a free enterprise capitalist society, resources are very unevenly distributed.
un|event|ful /ʌ n I ve ntfʊl/ ADJ If you describe a period of time as uneventful , you mean that nothing interesting, exciting, or important happened during it. □ The return journey was uneventful, the car running perfectly. □ It was rare for her to have an opportunity to discuss her dull, uneventful life. ● un|event|ful|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ The five years at that school passed fairly uneventfully.
un|ex|cep|tion|able /ʌ n I kse pʃənəb ə l/ ADJ If you describe someone or something as unexceptionable , you mean that they are unlikely to be criticized or objected to, but are not new or exciting, and may have some hidden bad qualities. [FORMAL ] □ The candidate was quite unexceptionable, a well-known travel writer and TV personality. □ The school's unexceptionable purpose is to involve parents in the education of their children.
un|ex|cep|tion|al /ʌ n I kse pʃən ə l/ ADJ If you describe something as unexceptional , you mean that it is ordinary, not very interesting, and often disappointing. □ Since then, Michael has lived an unexceptional life. □ The rest of the summer was unexceptional.
un|ex|cit|ing /ʌ n I ksa I t I ŋ/ ADJ If you describe someone or something as unexciting , you think they are rather boring, and not likely to shock or surprise you in any way. □ He is regarded as very capable but unexciting. □ It was a methodical, unexciting chore.
un|ex|pec|ted ◆◇◇ /ʌ n I kspe kt I d/ ADJ If an event or someone's behaviour is unexpected , it surprises you because you did not think that it was likely to happen. □ His death was totally unexpected. □ He made a brief, unexpected appearance at the office. ● un|ex|pect|ed|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ Moss had clamped an unexpectedly strong grip on his arm. SYNONYMS unexpected ADJ
unforeseen: Ring regularly to check that no unforeseen problems have arisen.
surprise: Baxter arrived here this afternoon, on a surprise visit.
sudden: He had been deeply affected by the sudden death of his father-in-law.
un|ex|plained /ʌ n I ksple I nd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as unexplained , you mean that the reason for it or cause of it is unclear or is not known. □ The demonstrations were provoked by the unexplained death of an opposition leader. □ Soon after leaving Margate, for some unexplained reason, the train was brought to a standstill.
un|fail|ing /ʌnfe I l I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone's good qualities or behaviour as unfailing , you mean that they never change. □ He had the unfailing care and support of Erica, his wife. □ He continued to appear in the office with unfailing regularity thereafter. ● un|fail|ing|ly ADV [usu ADV adj, oft ADV with v] □ He was unfailingly polite to customers. □ Foreigners unfailingly fall in love with the place.