Langimage
English

unwanted

|un-want-ed|

B2

🇺🇸

/ʌnˈwɑːntɪd/

🇬🇧

/ʌnˈwɒntɪd/

(want)

desire or lack

Base Form3rd Person Sing.PastPast ParticiplePresent ParticipleNounNoun
wantwantswantedwantedwantingwantsunwantedness
Etymology
Etymology Information

'unwanted' originates from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'want,' which comes from Old Norse 'vanta,' meaning 'to lack.'

Historical Evolution

'want' changed from the Old Norse word 'vanta' and eventually became the modern English word 'want.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, 'want' meant 'to lack,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to desire.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Adjective 1

not desired or wished for.

The unwanted noise made it hard to concentrate.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35