unforeseen

/ˌʌnfɔːˈsiːn/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌʌnfɔrsˈin] /ˌʌnfɔːrˈsiːn/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌʌnfɔrsˈin] /ˌən-fȯr-ˈsēn How to pronounce unforeseen (audio)/ (ame, mw)

unforeseen — adjective

  • unforeseenpositive
  • more unforeseencomparative
  • most unforeseensuperlative

1. describes something that nobody predicted before it happened, especially in form

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes something that nobody predicted before it happened, especially in formal contexts such as plans, budgets, or reports

例句

The storm caused unforeseen damage to several homes near the river.

collocation: unforeseen damage

Rin's trip to Osaka was delayed by an unforeseen rail strike.

passive with unforeseen event causing delay

同義詞
  • unexpected

    the everyday choice; less formal and not especially tied to planning or risk language

  • unanticipated

    very close in meaning, but even more official and common in reports or research

  • sudden

    focuses on speed, not on the failure to predict the event beforehand

  • unplanned

    emphasizes lack of prior arrangement rather than lack of prediction

反義詞
  • expected

    describes something people believed would happen

  • foreseeable

    emphasizes that the result could reasonably be predicted in advance

  • planned

    used when an event or cost was deliberately prepared for beforehand

文法句型

unforeseen + noun

because of unforeseen + plural noun

用法筆記

Most often used before nouns in formal writing about costs, risks, delays, or legal situations. In everyday speech, 'unexpected' is usually more natural, while 'unforeseen' sounds more official and planning-focused.

常見錯誤

❌The team faced an unforeseen.
✅The team faced an unforeseen problem.
💡'Unforeseen' is an adjective, so it normally needs a noun after it.
❌The project failed because of unforseen costs.
✅The project failed because of unforeseen costs.
💡The correct spelling keeps the full word 'foreseen' inside 'unforeseen'.