unasked

/ˌʌnˈɑːskt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌnˈæskt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈas(k)t/ (ame, mw)

unasked — adjective

  • unaskedpositive
  • more unaskedcomparative
  • most unaskedsuperlative

1. describes a question that someone wants to ask but has kept to themselves, often

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a question that someone wants to ask but has kept to themselves, often because the moment never seemed right or the answer might be painful

例句

Amihan stared at the envelope, one unasked question hanging between her and her sister.

collocation: unasked question

At every family dinner, Layla's unasked question about her father's health filled the silence.

同義詞
  • unspoken

    broader; can describe thoughts, feelings, or agreements, not just questions

  • unuttered

    more literary; emphasises that something was never voiced aloud

  • unvoiced

    similar to unspoken but often used for opinions or concerns rather than questions

反義詞
  • voiced

    explicitly spoken or expressed aloud

文法句型

unasked question

用法筆記

Almost always modifies the noun 'question'. Distinguish from sense 2 (UNINVITED; UNSOLICITED), which applies to actions, advice, or presence — not to questions.

2. done, given, or happening without anyone requesting it; describes a person who a

2.形容詞B2
釋義

done, given, or happening without anyone requesting it; describes a person who appears somewhere without having been invited

例句

Ilan arrived at the wedding unasked, carrying an expensive gift and a wide grin.

adverbial: arrive + unasked

Amihan's unasked opinion about the menu arrived by text before anyone had asked.

同義詞
  • unsolicited

    emphasises that something (advice, opinion) was given without being asked for

  • uninvited

    specifically about a person showing up without an invitation

  • unprompted

    suggests spontaneity; someone acted without needing a cue or request

  • spontaneous

    more positive in tone; suggests natural, willing action rather than intrusion

反義詞
  • invited

    specifically asked to attend or participate

  • solicited

    formally requested or sought out

文法句型

arrive/come/show up + unasked

unasked + advice/opinion/help/comment

用法筆記

When describing a person, 'unasked' means they showed up without an invitation. When describing things (advice, opinions, help), it means nobody requested them. Distinguish from sense 1 (UNSPOKEN QUESTION), which applies only to questions held back.

常見錯誤

❌She had an unasked question about whether he was invited to the party.' (when you mean she was curious if he was uninvited).
✅She had an unasked question about whether he was invited to the party.
💡this is actually correct for sense 1, but be careful: if you mean someone came without being asked, the correct form is 'He came unasked,' not 'an unasked question about him.'