unprotected

/ˌʌnprəˈtektɪd/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌʌnprətˈɛktɪd] /ˌʌnprəˈtektɪd/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌʌnprətˈɛktɪd] /ˌən-prə-ˈtek-təd How to pronounce unprotected (audio)/ (ame, mw)

unprotected — adjective

  • unprotectedpositive
  • more unprotectedcomparative
  • most unprotectedsuperlative

1. left without anything that keeps it safe, so it can be hurt, damaged, or attacke

1.形容詞B2
釋義

left without anything that keeps it safe, so it can be hurt, damaged, or attacked more easily.

例句

The campers left their food unprotected, and bears tore open the bags.

leave + noun + unprotected

Kian felt unprotected on the dark platform after the station guard left.

feel + unprotected

同義詞
  • vulnerable

    emphasises how easily harm can happen, not simply the lack of protection

  • exposed

    focuses on being left open to weather, danger, or public view

  • defenseless

    stronger and often used when someone cannot fight back

反義詞
  • protected

    has some form of safety, cover, or defence

  • shielded

    suggests active protection from a specific danger

文法句型

be / feel unprotected

leave + noun + unprotected

unprotected against + threat

unprotected + noun

用法筆記

Often follows be, feel, leave, or remain. Use against to name the danger or threat, especially with words such as attack, fraud, or infection.

常見錯誤

❌The laptop is unprotected from viruses.
✅The laptop is unprotected against viruses.
💡'against' is the usual preposition when you name the threat.

2. describing sex where the people involved do not use a condom.

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describing sex where the people involved do not use a condom.

例句

The nurse warned that unprotected sex can spread infections very quickly.

collocation: unprotected sex

Kevin panicked after having unprotected sex and booked a clinic visit.

have unprotected sex

同義詞
  • bareback

    much more informal and strongly associated with sexual slang

  • unsafe

    broader term that can include other health or consent risks besides no condom

反義詞
  • protected

    used for sex where a condom or similar protection is used

  • safer

    public-health term for sex with lower risk, not an exact opposite

文法句型

unprotected sex

have unprotected sex

after unprotected sex

用法筆記

This sense is usually used in health, sex education, and medical advice. It refers specifically to sex without a condom, not to every situation where pregnancy prevention fails.

常見錯誤

❌They had unsafe sex because no condom was used.
✅They had unprotected sex because no condom was used.
💡'unprotected' names the missing condom directly, while 'unsafe' is broader.