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unanswered

C2
adjective

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ʌnˈɑːnsəd/

US

  • /ˌəˈnænsərd/

Description

An unanswered question hangs in the air, waiting for someone to speak up. An unanswered letter sits on your desk, still waiting for a reply. "Unanswered" describes anything that has not received a reply or solution, such as a call, a message, a prayer, or a cry for help. It leaves things open, with no clear end yet. Think of a detective following clues; many questions stay unanswered until the mystery is solved. Sometimes, a question with no answer can feel more powerful than one with a simple reply.

Examples

  1. 1

    Missed call

    There was an unanswered call from my doctor when I checked my phone.

  2. 2

    Customer service

    Several customer emails were left unanswered over the weekend.

    • Pattern

      leave + message/email unanswered

      not reply to it

  3. 3

    Rude comment

    She refused to let his rude comment go unanswered.

    • Pattern

      let something go unanswered

      choose not to reply to it

  4. 4

    Open question

    Even after the report was published, one important question remained unanswered.

  5. 5

    Prayer

    For years, she felt that her prayers had gone unanswered.

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • unansweredadjective