undisturbed
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌndɪstˈɜːbd/
US
- /ˌəndɪˈstɜrbd/
Description
- peaceful
- calm
- not bothered
- untouched
- uninterrupted
Imagine a quiet forest clearing where sunlight falls through the leaves. That is the feeling of something undisturbed. It describes something that has not been interrupted, moved, or bothered, so it stays calm or just as it was before. A full night's sleep without noise is a simple example. You might leave a bird's nest undisturbed so the young can grow safely, or find a patch of snow still undisturbed because no one has stepped on it. It can also describe a person who stays calm even when life around them is noisy or busy.
"Undisturbed" describes a state of peace, tranquility, and a total lack of interruption. It suggests that something remains in its original condition, untouched or unbothered by outside forces. Think of a pristine beach where no one has yet walked, an ancient tomb left sealed for centuries, or a deep sleep unbroken by noise. These are all classic examples of things that are undisturbed.
The word applies naturally to physical spaces, such as an "undisturbed wilderness," but it also works well for emotional states. Someone who seems undisturbed by bad news is not always indifferent. More often, they stay calm and composed instead of reacting with panic or visible worry.
The word often carries a sense of respect as well. Scientists may want to study an ecosystem in an undisturbed condition so they can see how nature works without human interference. In daily life, people may hope for undisturbed rest, leave old ruins undisturbed, or protect a quiet area so it stays unchanged. The word also appears in legal English: "undisturbed possession" means the right to occupy property without interference from others. Whether it describes a place, a person's calm state, sleep, nature, or property, "undisturbed" points to something left peaceful, unchanged, and free from disruption.
Examples
- 1
Sleep
The baby slept undisturbed through the night.
- 2
Focused work
I closed the door so she could work undisturbed for a few hours.
- 3
Leave unchanged
Please leave the papers on my desk undisturbed until I get back.
- 4
Historical site
The tomb lay undisturbed for centuries.
- 5
Criticism
Her confidence seemed undisturbed by the criticism.
Pattern
undisturbed by + problem
not affected or upset by it
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- undisturbedadjective