WordGarden.iounexposed
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌʌnɛkspˈəʊzd/
US
Meanings
Adjective
not revealed, uncovered, or brought into view
not having come into contact with a disease, chemical, radiation source, or similar agent
not previously introduced to or made familiar with something through experience
More meaningsFewer meanings
in photography, not yet exposed to light or not yet used to record an image
Beyond the definition
Imagine a roll of film still tucked inside its canister: that film is unexposed. It has not yet been touched by light, so no image has been recorded. But the word is not only about photography. It can also describe something that has been kept away from a certain thing, such as skin left unexposed to strong sunlight, or a person who has been unexposed to a certain kind of experience, idea, or culture. In general, it suggests something still untouched, protected, or not yet brought into contact with something else.
The word "unexposed" has several related meanings, all built around the idea of not yet coming into contact with something. Most commonly, it appears in photography. An unexposed roll of film has not yet been hit by light, so it has not recorded an image. "The photographer realized with relief that the roll was still unexposed and could be used for the sunset."
Outside photography, "unexposed" often means protected from something or not yet affected by it. In health or safety writing, for example, a part of the body may be kept unexposed to germs, chemicals, or harsh weather. In everyday language, it can describe skin that was left unexposed to the sun, or material that stayed unexposed to air or moisture.
The word can also be used in a more figurative way. A person who has been unexposed to different cultures, ideas, or ways of life has simply not had much contact with them yet. In this sense, the word points to lack of experience rather than active hiding. It is less natural, however, to use unexposed for secrets or scandals; in those cases, English usually prefers expressions like "not yet exposed," "hidden," or "unknown."
Overall, whether it refers to film, skin, materials, or a person's experience, unexposed describes something that has remained untouched by a certain force, condition, or influence. The core idea is simple: something has not yet been brought into the contact that would change it.
Examples
- 1
Film storage
Keep the unexposed film in a cool, dark place.
- 2
Skin test
Apply the cream to a small area of unexposed skin first.
- 3
Cultural experience
Until he went to college, he had been largely unexposed to other cultures.
- Patternunexposed to + culture/idea
not having much experience of it
- 4
Financial risk
Because the loan had a fixed interest rate, the family was less exposed to rising costs.
- Patternunexposed to + risk
not likely to be affected by it
See also
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Used with (collocations)
- unexposed skin
- unexposed film
- unexposed population
- unexposed to sunlight
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- unexposed