unread

/ˌʌnˈred/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌnˈred/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈred/ (ame, mw)

unread — adjective

  • unreadpositive
  • more unreadcomparative
  • most unreadsuperlative

1. not yet read, so the written words have not been taken in.

1.形容詞B1
釋義

not yet read, so the written words have not been taken in.

例句

Nila left the postcard unread on the kitchen table for days.

pattern: leave + object + unread

By Friday, Jin still had three unread emails from the landlord.

digital status: unread emails

同義詞
  • unopened

    earlier stage: the item has not been opened yet, so it may also still be unread

  • ignored

    adds the idea that someone chose not to pay attention

  • unseen

    broader and often visual; not limited to written content

反義詞
  • read

    the writing has already been looked at and understood

  • finished

    stronger; the whole text has been completed, not just started

文法句型

an unread message

leave something unread

still unread

用法筆記

Common for letters, books, pages, emails, and messages. Unlike 'unopened', it focuses on not having taken in the words, so something can be opened but still unread.

常見錯誤

❌The gift stayed unread under the bed.
✅The letter stayed unread under the bed.
💡this sense is for writing or messages, not for physical objects in general.
❌The package is unread because I have not opened it.
✅The package is unopened because I have not opened it.
💡'unread' is about words not being read, while 'unopened' is about the container staying closed.

2. not made knowledgeable by reading, especially in a particular subject.

2.形容詞C2
釋義

not made knowledgeable by reading, especially in a particular subject.

例句

Though bright, Eitan was still unread in art history during the museum tour.

formal pattern: unread in + subject

The novel shows a kind but unread farmer facing a room of lawyers.

attributive use: unread + person noun

同義詞
  • ill-read

    close in meaning but even more formal and uncommon

  • uninformed

    broader; knowledge may be lacking for many reasons, not only little reading

  • unscholarly

    suggests little academic learning or study, not just little reading

反義詞
  • well-read

    direct opposite: knowledgeable because of extensive reading

  • learned

    stronger and more formal, often suggesting deep study

文法句型

be unread in + subject

an unread + noun

用法筆記

This sense is much less common than 'not well-read' and often sounds literary or old-fashioned. It usually describes a person whose reading has not given them broad knowledge, often with 'in' plus a subject area.

常見錯誤

❌My aunt is unread because her novel is still closed.
✅My aunt is not well-read, and the novel is still unread.
💡this formal sense describes a person's lack of knowledge from reading, not a text that nobody has read.

unread — noun