unread

IPA/ˌʌnˈred/
KK[ənrˈɛd]IPA/ˌʌnˈred/

unread — adjective

  • unreadpositive
  • more unreadcomparative
  • most unreadsuperlative

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

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

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

Example

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

Common collocations
  • unread message
  • unread email
  • unread letter
  • unread page
  • leave unread
  • keep unread
Synonyms
  • 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

Antonyms
  • read

    the writing has already been looked at and understood

  • finished

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

Grammar Patterns

an unread message

leave something unread

still unread

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

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.adjectiveC2
Definition

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

Example

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

Common collocations
  • unread in history
  • unread in politics
  • an unread man
  • an unread student
Synonyms
  • 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

Antonyms
  • well-read

    direct opposite: knowledgeable because of extensive reading

  • learned

    stronger and more formal, often suggesting deep study

Grammar Patterns

be unread in + subject

an unread + noun

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

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

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

These words all suggest that something has not been fully dealt with, but they focus on different stages. 'Unread' is specific to writing or messages and means the words have not yet been taken in. 'Unopened' comes earlier: a letter can be unopened before anyone even looks inside, and it may remain unread after opening. 'Ignored' adds intention, suggesting someone chose not to pay attention. 'Unseen' is broader and often visual, so an unseen alert may simply never have appeared on the screen. Use 'unread' when the important fact is that the written content itself still has not been read.

unread ↗unopened ↗ignored ↗unseen ↗

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Formed in English from the negative prefix 'un-' and the past participle 'read'. The basic adjective sense simply means 'not yet read'. In modern digital use, it also developed a noun sense for messages or notifications that still wait in an inbox or chat list.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun