unsocial

IPA/ˌʌnˈsəʊʃl/
IPA/ˌʌnˈsəʊʃl/

unsocial — adjective

  • unsocialpositive
  • more unsocialcomparative
  • most unsocialsuperlative

1. describing work shifts that fall outside the usual daytime weekday routine, such

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describing work shifts that fall outside the usual daytime weekday routine, such as late evenings, overnight, or weekends

Example

Amani works unsocial hours at the hospital, including night shifts and every other weekend.

collocation: unsocial hours + typical workplaces (hospital)

James found it hard to sleep when his factory job required unsocial hours each month.

pattern: find + it + adj + to-infinitive showing consequence

Common collocations
  • unsocial hours
  • unsocial shifts
  • unsocial schedule
  • work unsocial
  • unsocial working patterns
Synonyms
  • antisocial

    Used interchangeably in British English for work hours, but 'antisocial' more broadly means behaviour harmful to society.

  • non-standard

    Neutral term for hours outside the 9-to-5 norm, less common in everyday speech.

Antonyms
  • regular

    Describes standard daytime weekday hours.

  • conventional

    Refers to the usual 9-to-5 or Monday-to-Friday pattern.

Usage Note

Almost always used before a noun referring to work time (hours, shifts, schedule). This phrase is standard in British English employment contexts; in American English, 'nontraditional hours' or 'shift work' is more common.

Common Mistakes

I had an unsocial evening at home.
I worked unsocial hours last night.
'unsocial' describes work schedules, not a person's evening.
He is unsocial and never talks to anyone.
He works unsocial hours as a night guard.
For describing personality, use 'unsociable' or 'antisocial' instead.

2. tending to avoid the company of other people or showing little interest in joini

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

tending to avoid the company of other people or showing little interest in joining social activities

Example

Noa has been rather unsocial lately, often eating lunch alone and skipping office parties.

pattern: has been + [adverb] + [adjective] describing current state

Nila's quiet and unsocial manner kept classmates from approaching her at the new school.

Common collocations
  • unsocial behaviour
  • unsocial nature
  • rather unsocial
  • truly unsocial
  • an unsocial person
Synonyms
  • unsociable

    The preferred modern term for someone who avoids company; 'unsocial' is less common but means the same thing.

  • reclusive

    More extreme, suggesting someone who actively withdraws from society rather than just disliking social events.

  • aloof

    Focuses on a cool, distant manner towards others, often with a hint of disapproval.

Antonyms
  • sociable

    Friendly and enjoying the company of others.

  • outgoing

    Actively seeks social interaction and is comfortable in groups.

  • gregarious

    Likes to be with other people; fond of company.

Usage Note

This sense is less common than its synonym 'unsociable'. In modern English, 'unsociable' is preferred for describing personality. 'Unsocial' in this meaning can sound slightly old-fashioned or formal. Do not confuse with 'antisocial', which implies behaviour that harms or disregards others.

Common Mistakes

He was fined for unsocial behaviour.
He was fined for antisocial behaviour.
'Antisocial' is the correct term for harmful or illegal conduct toward others.
She prefers an unsocial life in the countryside.
She prefers an unsociable life in the countryside.
'Unsociable' is the standard choice for describing a person's preference for solitude.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All three phrases describe work schedules outside the regular 9-to-5 pattern. 'Unsocial hours' is the most common term in British English employment law and job advertisements. 'Antisocial hours' is used interchangeably in everyday British speech but carries a broader negative connotation beyond work schedules. 'Non-standard hours' is a neutral, formal alternative common in American English and academic research. For example: 'Nurses receive premium pay for unsocial hours' sounds natural in a British job listing, whereas 'The study examined the health effects of non-standard hours' fits a research report. The phrase 'antisocial hours' should be avoided when the context could lead to confusion with genuinely harmful behaviour.

unsocial hoursantisocial hoursnon-standard hours

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • unsocial hours
  • unsocial shifts
  • unsocial working patterns

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Formed in English by adding the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') to 'social', which comes from Latin 'socialis' meaning 'of companionship or alliance'. The word entered English in the 16th century with the 'not sociable' meaning. The work-hours sense developed in 20th-century British English as a shortened form of 'unsocial hours', which originally described hours outside normal social leisure time.