WordGarden.iounadulterated
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌnədˈʌltərˌeɪtɪd/
US
- /ˌənəˈdəltərˌeɪtɪd/
Meanings
Adjective
pure and not mixed with anything else
complete and unmixed with anything else; sheer
Beyond the definition
Imagine honey straight from the honeycomb—that's unadulterated! It means something hasn't been changed, diluted, or had anything added to it. Think of a story told with unadulterated honesty; it's raw and truthful, without embellishment. Sometimes we crave an unadulterated experience—like hiking in the wilderness, far from city noise and crowds. It implies a return to something original, untouched, and fundamentally real.
The word "unadulterated" describes something that remains pure, genuine, and free from any additions or impurities. It comes from the Latin adulterare, meaning "to defile" or "to corrupt," so unadulterated means not defiled—kept in its original state.
You might describe a beautiful mountain landscape as unadulterated if it hasn't been spoiled by development. A chef might boast about using unadulterated ingredients, meaning they are fresh and haven't had any artificial flavors or preservatives added.
But "unadulterated" isn't just for physical things; it is frequently used to describe absolute qualities like joy, nonsense, or enthusiasm. An unadulterated laugh is a genuine, heartfelt expression of happiness. A politician promising unadulterated truth suggests they will speak honestly and without spin. When used this way, it often serves as an intensifier, meaning "total" or "utter."
Historically, the term was often used in relation to food and drink—ensuring products weren't mixed with cheaper or harmful substances. Today, it carries that sense of purity but extends to anything we value for its authenticity and lack of compromise. It is a word that speaks to a longing for what is real, honest, and untouched by outside influence.
Examples
- 1
Food quality
The farm sells unadulterated olive oil straight from the press.
- 2
Strong emotion
Her face lit up with unadulterated joy when she saw her brother at the airport.
- 3
Criticism
His excuse was unadulterated nonsense, and nobody in the room believed it.
- Phraseunadulterated nonsense
complete nonsense, with nothing sensible in it
- 4
Moral judgment
What started as ambition slowly turned into unadulterated greed.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Peaceful feeling
For a few quiet minutes, sitting by the lake felt like unadulterated peace.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- unadulterated honey
- unadulterated ingredients
- pure unadulterated joy
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- unadulteratedadjective