unbound
/ʌnˈbaɪnd/ (bre, ipa) · [ənbˈaʊnd] /ʌnˈbaɪnd/ (ame, ipa) · [ənbˈaʊnd] /ˌən-ˈbau̇nd How to pronounce unbound (audio)/ (ame, mw)
unbound — verb
- unboundpresent simple I / you / we / they
- unbounds3rd person singular
- unbounding-ing form
- unboundedpast simple
1. to remove the ropes, strings, or other restraints that hold a person or thing ti
to remove the ropes, strings, or other restraints that hold a person or thing tied up, setting them free to move again.
Adaeze gently unbound the horse from the fence post after the storm passed.
unbound + direct object + from + place
The nurse carefully unbound the patient's bandaged arm to check the wound underneath.
Ziad slowly unbound the stack of old letters tied with a faded ribbon.
The sailor unbound the rope from the dock and tossed it onto the boat.
- untied
more common in everyday speech; less formal
- released
broader meaning; can apply to any kind of freeing
- unfastened
focuses on opening a clasp, knot, or buckle rather than removing restraints
文法句型
unbound + object
be unbound (by someone)
用法筆記
This is the past-tense and past-participle form of the verb 'unbind' (present: unbind/unbinds, present participle: unbinding). In modern usage, 'untied' or 'released' is far more common. 'Unbound' appears mainly in literary or historical contexts describing the freeing of prisoners, animals, or bound objects.
常見錯誤
unbound — adjective
- unboundpositive
- more unboundcomparative
- most unboundsuperlative
1. not physically held in place by ropes, chains, straps, or other fastenings; free
not physically held in place by ropes, chains, straps, or other fastenings; free to move around without restraint.
The escaped goat was found grazing in the meadow, still unbound and unharmed.
unbound as subject complement after linking verb
During yoga class, Jenna kept her hair unbound so it would flow freely as she moved.
The prisoner's hands remained unbound during the meal, which surprised the guards.
Adaeze let her dog run unbound across the open field behind the farmhouse.
用法筆記
This is the most literal sense. It describes a physical state — a person, animal, or object that has not been tied up. Often used in narratives about captivity, rescue, or animals that roam freely. Note: 'unbound' is a non-gradable adjective — something is either bound or not bound. Standard English avoids comparative ('more unbound') or superlative ('most unbound') forms, though rare figurative exceptions exist.
2. not limited, controlled, or influenced by rules, expectations, traditions, or ex
not limited, controlled, or influenced by rules, expectations, traditions, or external forces; free to act or think without constraints.
The artist felt unbound by the traditional rules of painting when creating her latest work.
unbound by + rule/tradition/expectation
Naoko's imagination was unbound by the ordinary limits of science and everyday logic.
In an unbound creative space, writers are free to explore any topic without fear.
As an unbound traveler, Iris planned her journey day by day with no fixed schedule.
- unrestricted
more formal; often used for rules and regulations
- unfettered
literary; emphasises complete freedom from constraints
- free
simpler and more common; works in same contexts
- bound
figurative opposite; limited by rules or obligations
- restricted
direct opposite; subject to limitations
- constrained
formal opposite; held back by pressures or limits
文法句型
unbound by + noun
unbound from + noun
用法筆記
This is a figurative sense. It usually appears with 'by' (unbound by convention, unbound by tradition) or 'from' (unbound from restrictions). It is more formal than 'free' and tends to appear in written rather than spoken English.
常見錯誤
3. describes a book, manuscript, or document whose pages have not been glued, stitc
describes a book, manuscript, or document whose pages have not been glued, stitched, or otherwise fastened together inside a cover — typically a loose collection of sheets.
The archive contained unbound manuscripts from the 18th century, loosely stacked in boxes.
technical register: unbound manuscript
Shanti handed the professor a thick stack of unbound pages held together only by a metal clip.
Students received unbound lecture notes so they could rearrange the pages in any order.
- loose-leaf
more specific; describes pages designed to be added or removed from a binder
- unstapled
colloquial; used for small sets of papers
- unstitched
archaic or technical; specifically about thread binding
文法句型
unbound + noun (pages, manuscript, document)
用法筆記
This sense is specific to publishing, libraries, and archiving. In everyday English, people would say 'loose pages' or 'unstapled' rather than 'unbound'. The opposite is 'bound' (i.e. in a book binding).
4. describes atoms, molecules, electrons, or other particles that are not chemicall
describes atoms, molecules, electrons, or other particles that are not chemically bonded to other atoms or substances and can move or react independently.
The experiment measured the concentration of unbound iron molecules floating in the solution.
chemistry register: unbound + element/molecule
Femi explained that unbound electrons move freely through the metal when voltage is applied.
The lab detected unbound carbon atoms that had not yet formed chemical bonds with oxygen.
- free
simpler word used in the same scientific contexts (free electrons, free atoms)
- unattached
describes particles not bonded to any other particle
文法句型
unbound + noun (atoms, molecules, electrons, particles)
用法筆記
This is a technical sense used in chemistry and physics. It is not used in everyday conversation. The opposite term is 'bound', as in 'bound electrons' or 'bound molecules'. Appears mainly in scientific papers, textbooks, and lab reports.