unmixed

IPA/ˌʌnˈmɪkst/
KK[ənmˈɪkst]IPA/ˌʌnˈmɪkst/

unmixed — adjective

  • unmixedpositive
  • more unmixedcomparative
  • most unmixedsuperlative

1. describes a substance, material, or collection of items that stays separate from

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes a substance, material, or collection of items that stays separate from other things and has no other elements added to it.

Example

The lab stores each chemical in unmixed form to prevent dangerous reactions.

unmixed form of substances

In the kitchen, the chef keeps the salad ingredients unmixed until a guest orders them.

Common collocations
  • unmixed form
  • unmixed state
  • unmixed batch
  • remain unmixed
  • keep unmixed
  • stay unmixed
  • unmixed with [something]
Synonyms
  • separate

    more general and far more common in everyday English; 'unmixed' adds a sense of intentional separation

  • pure

    emphasises freedom from contamination; stronger connotation of cleanness

  • straight

    used specifically for undiluted alcoholic drinks (straight whiskey), not for general substances

Antonyms
  • mixed

    combined with other elements

  • combined

    joined together into one mass

Grammar Patterns

remain/stay/keep + unmixed

unmixed with + noun

Usage Note

Common in technical, scientific, procedural, and organizational contexts. The predicative use (remain unmixed, stay unmixed) is more frequent than the attributive use (unmixed form, unmixed state).

Common Mistakes

The teacher kept the two classes unmixed during the exam.
The teacher kept the two classes separate during the exam.
'unmixed' sounds unnatural with groups of people; use 'separate' instead.

2. describes a single feeling or quality that is completely pure because no other e

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

describes a single feeling or quality that is completely pure because no other emotion or characteristic weakens or changes it.

Example

The audience at the concert hall listened with unmixed admiration as the young pianist played Beethoven's sonata.

unmixed + abstract noun (admiration/joy/relief)

Dr. Okafor felt unmixed relief when the test results showed no sign of disease.

Common collocations
  • unmixed admiration
  • unmixed joy
  • unmixed relief
  • unmixed pleasure
  • unmixed enthusiasm
  • unmixed kindness
  • unmixed clarity
  • unmixed with doubt
Synonyms
  • pure

    more common in everyday speech; 'unmixed' is more literary and precise

  • sheer

    emphasises the intensity of the feeling (sheer joy); works best with strong emotions

  • undiluted

    focuses on the absence of any weakening influence; slightly more formal

Antonyms
  • mixed

    combined with other feelings (mixed emotions)

  • ambivalent

    having conflicting feelings at the same time

Grammar Patterns

unmixed + abstract noun

unmixed with + abstract noun

Usage Note

Primarily found in formal or literary writing when describing intense, single emotions (admiration, joy, relief, pleasure, enthusiasm). Usually appears with positive emotions; using it with negative emotions (unmixed anger, unmixed hatred) is grammatically correct but very rare.

Common Mistakes

She gave him an unmixed smile.
She gave him a genuine smile.
'unmixed' does not typically modify facial expressions; use 'genuine' or 'pure' instead.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe something without added elements, but each focuses on a different angle. 'Separate' is the most general and common, simply describing things that are apart from each other (separate rooms, separate files). 'Pure' emphasises freedom from contamination or impurity (pure water, pure silk) and is far more frequent in everyday use. 'Straight' is restricted to undiluted alcoholic drinks (straight whiskey) and does not work for other substances or qualities. 'Undiluted' applies literally to liquids not weakened by water and figuratively to strong emotions (undiluted hatred). 'Unmixed' sits between these: it can refer to physical materials (unmixed chemicals) and, in formal writing, to abstract feelings (unmixed joy), but always implies an intentional separation from other elements that could otherwise be combined with it.

pure ↗separate ↗straight ↗undiluted ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • completely unmixed
  • entirely unmixed
  • largely unmixed
  • relatively unmixed

Prepositions

  • unmixed with

Etymology

Old EnglishLatinOld FrenchEnglish

Formed from the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not', from Old English 'un-') attached to the past participle 'mixed', which comes from the verb 'mix' — itself borrowed from Latin 'miscēre' ('to mix') via Old French 'mixte' and Middle English 'mixt'. The word has been in use since the 15th century, first describing physical substances that are not combined, and later extending to abstract qualities and emotions that remain undiluted.

First known use

1526

1526, in the meaning defined above