un|in|tend|ed /ʌ n I nte nd I d/ ADJ Unintended results were not planned to happen, although they happened. □ …the unintended consequences of human action. □ …unintended pregnancies.
un|in|ten|tion|al /ʌ n I nte nʃən ə l/ ADJ Something that is unintentional is not done deliberately, but happens by accident. □ Perhaps he had slightly misled them, but it was quite unintentional. □ There are moments of unintentional humour. ● un|in|ten|tion|al|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ …an overblown and unintentionally funny adaptation of 'Dracula'. □ I unintentionally hurt some wonderful people.
un|in|ter|est|ed /ʌ n I ntrəst I d, -tərestid/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are uninterested in something or someone, you do not want to know any more about them, because you think they have no special or exciting qualities. □ [+ in ] I was so uninterested in the result that I didn't even bother to look at it. □ …unhelpful and uninterested shop staff.
un|in|ter|est|ing /ʌ n I ntrəst I ŋ, -tərestiŋ/ ADJ If you describe something or someone as uninteresting , you mean they have no special or exciting qualities. □ Their media has earned the reputation for being rather dull and uninteresting.
un|in|ter|rupt|ed /ʌ n I ntərʌ pt I d/
1 ADJ [ADJ after v, v-link ADJ , ADJ n] If something is uninterrupted , it is continuous and has no breaks or interruptions in it. □ This enables the healing process to continue uninterrupted. □ …five years of rapid and uninterrupted growth.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An uninterrupted view of something is a clear view of it, without any obstacles in the way. □ Diners can enjoy an uninterrupted view of the garden.
un|in|vit|ed /ʌ n I nva I t I d/ ADJ [ADJ after v, v-link ADJ , ADJ n] If someone does something or goes somewhere uninvited , they do it or go there without being asked, often when their action or presence is not wanted. □ He came uninvited to one of Stein's parties. □ …a hundred invited guests and many more who were uninvited. □ …an uninvited question from a reporter.
un|ion ◆◆◆ /juː njən/ (unions )
1 N‑COUNT A union is a workers' organization which represents its members and which aims to improve things such as their working conditions and pay. □ I feel that women in all types of employment can benefit from joining a union. □ …union officials.
2 N‑UNCOUNT When the union of two or more things occurs, they are joined together and become one thing. □ [+ with ] Long before union with England, Scotland had a vibrant musical tradition. [Also + of ]
3 N‑SING When two or more things, for example countries or organizations, have been joined together to form one thing, you can refer to them as a union . □ [+ of ] …the union of African states. □ …the question of which countries should join the currency union.
4 N‑COUNT Union is used in the name of some clubs, societies, and organizations. □ The naming of stars is at the discretion of the International Astronomical Union. SYNONYMS union NOUN
2
unification: …the process of general European unification.
combination: …the combination of science and art.
integration: They see progress towards integration.
3
alliance: The two parties were still too much apart to form an alliance.
league: …the League of Nations.
association: …the Association of British Travel Agents.
coalition: Since June the country has had a coalition government.
un|ion|ism /juː njən I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Unionism is any set of political principles based on the idea that two or more political or national units should be joined or remain together, for example that Northern Ireland should remain part of the United Kingdom. ● un|ion|ist (unionists ) N‑COUNT □ …traditional unionists fearful of home rule.
un|ioni|za|tion /juː njəna I ze I ʃ ə n/ in BRIT, also use unionisation N‑UNCOUNT The unionization of workers or industries is the process of workers becoming members of trade unions. □ Increasing unionization led to demands for higher wages and shorter hours.
un|ion|ized /juː njəna I zd/ in BRIT, also use unionised ADJ Unionized workers belong to trade unions. If a company or place is unionized , most of the workers there belong to trade unions.
U n|ion Ja ck (Union Jacks ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The Union Jack is the national flag of the United Kingdom. It consists of a blue background with red and white crosses on it.
u n|ion suit (union suits ) N‑COUNT A union suit is a piece of underwear, worn by men or boys, that covers the body and legs. [AM ]
unique ◆◇◇ /juːniː k/
1 ADJ Something that is unique is the only one of its kind. □ Each person's signature is unique. □ The area has its own unique language, Catalan. ● unique|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Because of the extreme cold, the Antarctic is a uniquely fragile environment. □ Uniquely among the great world religions, Buddhism is rooted only in the universal experience of suffering known to all human beings. ● unique|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Each time I returned I was struck by the uniqueness of Australia and its people.
2 ADJ You can use unique to describe things that you admire because they are very unusual and special. [APPROVAL ] □ Brett's vocals are just unique. □ Kauffman was a woman of unique talent and determination. ● unique|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …people who consider themselves uniquely qualified to be president of the United States.