uninhibitedness

IPA/ˌʌnɪnhˈɪbɪtɪdnəs/
IPA/ˌʌnɪnhˈɪbɪɾᵻdnəs/

uninhibitedness — noun

1. the quality of expressing your thoughts, feelings, or behavior in a completely o

1.nounC1
Definition

the quality of expressing your thoughts, feelings, or behavior in a completely open and natural way, without worrying about what others think of you.

Example

Lakshmi's natural uninhibitedness on stage made her the most memorable performer of the night.

collocation: natural uninhibitedness

We loved watching the children's uninhibitedness as they splashed through every puddle after the rain.

Common collocations
  • natural uninhibitedness
  • childlike uninhibitedness
  • uninhibitedness in [activity]
  • discover / show / display uninhibitedness
Synonyms
  • spontaneity

    focuses on acting on natural impulse in the moment, without planning — warmer and more commonly used than uninhibitedness

  • abandon

    stronger and more intense; suggests giving in completely to emotion, often in physical movement (dance, play) — 'danced with abandon'

  • naturalness

    emphasizes being genuine and unaffected rather than socially bold; overlaps with uninhibitedness when applied to performance or conversation

Antonyms
  • inhibition

    the direct opposite — the feeling of being held back or unable to act freely

  • restraint

    suggests deliberate self-control rather than anxious holding back; more neutral in tone

  • self-consciousness

    the uncomfortable awareness of being watched or judged that prevents free behavior

Usage Note

Uncountable noun. More common in written than spoken English; speakers often prefer the adjective 'uninhibited' or the phrase 'lack of inhibition.' The quality is usually viewed positively in artistic or social settings, but describing someone's uninhibitedness in a formal office context may imply inappropriate familiarity.

Common Mistakes

He showed great uninhibitedness when he talked loudly on the phone in the library.
He showed great uninhibitedness when he danced freely at the party.
Uninhibitedness in a setting that expects quiet may sound negative; it is best used for situations where free expression is welcomed.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Uninhibitedness, spontaneity, abandon, and naturalness all describe a lack of constraint in how a person acts, but they emphasize different angles. Uninhibitedness focuses on the absence of social or psychological barriers — a person who acts without worrying about being judged. Spontaneity highlights acting on impulse without premeditation; a spontaneous remark may be charming or tactless, but the emphasis is on timing and lack of planning. Abandon is more intense and physical — it implies letting go of all control, especially in movement or emotion (e.g., 'the children played with wild abandon'). Naturalness is about being genuine rather than bold — it contrasts with pretence or affectation. In practice: 'We admired the comedian's uninhibitedness on stage — she said whatever came to mind without fear. But her spontaneity with the audience made each show unique, and her naturalness made even rehearsed jokes feel unscripted.'

spontaneity ↗abandon ↗naturalness ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • lack of inhibition

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Formed from the adjective 'uninhibited' (un- 'not' + inhibited, from Latin inhibēre 'to hold back, restrain') plus the noun suffix -ness, which turns adjectives into nouns describing a state or quality. The word entered English use in the mid-20th century as the noun counterpart of 'uninhibited.'

First known use

1880

1880, in the meaning defined above