unbalanced
/ˌʌnˈbælənst/ (bre, ipa) · [ənbˈælənst] /ˌʌnˈbælənst/ (ame, ipa) · [ənbˈælənst] /ˌən-ˈba-lən(t)st How to pronounce unbalanced (audio)/ (ame, mw)
unbalanced — adjective
- unbalancedpositive
- more unbalancedcomparative
- most unbalancedsuperlative
1. not standing or resting in a steady way, so that something may tip over, slide,
not standing or resting in a steady way, so that something may tip over, slide, or fall.
The stack of plates on the wooden counter looked unbalanced and about to topple.
Asher tried to carry three coffee cups at once, and his tray felt dangerously unbalanced.
unbalanced + inanimate subject (tray, stack, pile)
The gardener set the ladder on uneven ground, making it unbalanced and unsafe to climb.
Bilal climbed onto the unbalanced pile of boxes to reach the top shelf.
- unsteady
suggests movement or shaking; a ladder can be both unsteady and unbalanced
- wobbly
more informal; describes something that moves from side to side
- off-balance
suggests the object has lost its centre of gravity
用法筆記
Describes physical objects or positions. Distinguish from sense 3 (BIASED), which describes unfair judgments rather than physical instability.
常見錯誤
2. describing a person whose thinking or behaviour has become very unusual or confu
describing a person whose thinking or behaviour has become very unusual or confused, often because of a mental health condition that affects their daily life.
After her job loss, Sirin became unbalanced and talked loudly to herself on the bus.
become + unbalanced (change of state)
The neighbours worried the shopkeeper was unbalanced when he began shouting at strangers all night.
The court decided that the woman was unbalanced and ordered her to receive medical care.
Shanti volunteered at a clinic that helped unbalanced people find safe housing and regular treatment.
用法筆記
In modern English, this term is considered informal and sometimes insensitive. More neutral alternatives include 'having a mental health condition' or 'experiencing a mental health crisis.' Avoid in formal or clinical writing.
常見錯誤
3. not treating all sides equally, so that a situation, report, or opinion becomes
not treating all sides equally, so that a situation, report, or opinion becomes unfair because one aspect is given more attention than it deserves.
The newspaper article gave an unbalanced view of the election by ignoring the main issues.
unbalanced + view/report/account/coverage
Zuri thought the teacher's grading was unbalanced because she always favoured the same students.
The documentary came across as unbalanced because it only showed one side of the argument.
Critics said the report offered an unbalanced judgment of the new education policy.
Nellie refused to publish the story until the unbalanced parts were removed.
用法筆記
Common with nouns like 'view,' 'report,' 'account,' or 'coverage.' Frequently used in discussions of media, criticism, and evaluation. Distinguish from sense 1 (UNSTEADY), which describes physical objects, not opinions.
常見錯誤
4. describing a way of eating that does not provide the right variety or amounts of
describing a way of eating that does not provide the right variety or amounts of different foods that the body needs to stay healthy.
Sofie's meals were unbalanced because she only ate bread and cheese every day.
unbalanced + meal/diet/eating habits (food context)
Tariro's lunchbox held only potato chips and cookies — a completely unbalanced meal.
The doctor told Walid his eating habits were unbalanced and needed more vegetables.
Mia tried to fix her unbalanced diet by adding fresh fruit and fish each day.
- balanced
having the right mix of nutrients
- nutritious
providing the substances the body needs
用法筆記
Almost always used with nouns about food (diet, meal, eating habits). Not used to describe a single food item — a piece of cake is not 'unbalanced,' but a diet consisting only of cake is.
常見錯誤
5. describing financial records in which the total money received does not match th
describing financial records in which the total money received does not match the total money spent or owed.
The company's books were unbalanced, showing more spending than income for three months.
unbalanced + books/ledger/accounts (financial records)
Paloma discovered an unbalanced account where payments did not match the receipts.
The accountant fixed the unbalanced ledger by finding the missing invoice from last month.
The night-shift cashier noticed the unbalanced register and called the manager.
- out of balance
phrase used in accounting; more common than 'unbalanced'
- incorrect
general; does not specify the nature of the error
- balanced
where credits and debits match exactly
- reconciled
checked and corrected so that all amounts agree
用法筆記
Restricted to financial and accounting contexts. The noun 'unbalance' (a discrepancy in accounts) is occasionally used alongside this adjective in business writing.