unwholesome

/ˌʌnˈhəʊlsəm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌʌnˈhəʊlsəm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈhōl-səm How to pronounce unwholesome (audio)/ (ame, mw)

unwholesome — adjective

  • unwholesomepositive
  • more unwholesomecomparative
  • most unwholesomesuperlative

1. likely to damage someone's health, character, or emotional life in a serious way

1.形容詞C1
釋義

likely to damage someone's health, character, or emotional life in a serious way.

例句

Teachers worried that the forum exposed teenagers to unwholesome ideas about dieting.

collocation: unwholesome ideas / influence

Months in the damp basement created unwholesome living conditions for the family.

collocation: unwholesome living conditions

同義詞
  • harmful

    broader and more neutral; can describe any kind of damage

  • unhealthy

    more everyday and usually focused on physical health

  • toxic

    stronger and more dramatic, especially for relationships or environments

反義詞
  • wholesome

    good for the body, character, or feelings

  • healthy

    the usual opposite when physical health is the focus

文法句型

unwholesome + noun

link verb + unwholesome

unwholesome for + person/group

用法筆記

Often modifies nouns such as 'influence', 'habit', 'company', 'atmosphere', or 'conditions'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about something damaging to health, character, or emotional well-being, not a smell or sight that feels revolting.

常見錯誤

❌The jokes in that chat are unhealthy for children.
✅The jokes in that chat are unwholesome for children.
💡use 'unwholesome' when the problem is bad moral or emotional influence, not physical health.

2. so unpleasant in smell, taste, appearance, or general feeling that it makes peop

2.形容詞C1
釋義

so unpleasant in smell, taste, appearance, or general feeling that it makes people shrink back.

例句

An unwholesome smell rose from the drain behind the fish market.

collocation: unwholesome smell

The stew had an unwholesome green colour, so nobody touched it.

同義詞
  • disgusting

    more everyday and more direct

  • foul

    especially common for smells, air, or tastes

  • loathsome

    stronger and more literary in tone

反義詞
  • pleasant

    agreeable to the senses

  • fresh

    common opposite for air, smell, or taste

文法句型

unwholesome + smell/taste/air

link verb + unwholesome

用法筆記

Usually describes smells, tastes, colours, air, or surroundings that feel nasty or unnatural. Distinguish from sense 1: here the reaction is immediate sensory disgust, not longer-term harm to a person's life.