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unopened

A1
adjective

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ʌnˈəʊpənd/

US

  • /əˈnoʊpənd/

Description

Something that is unopened has not been opened yet, so its seal, lid, wrapper, or envelope is still intact. Think of a new box of cookies still wrapped in plastic, an unopened letter waiting on the table, or an unopened gift sitting by the door. The word often suggests freshness, privacy, or simple delay: the contents are still inside, and no one has looked at or used them yet.

Most often, "unopened" is used for physical things such as food, drinks, packages, letters, bottles, jars, and boxes. It can sometimes be used more broadly for things that have not started or been looked at, but that is less common. In everyday English, the clearest idea is simple: it has not been opened.

Examples

  1. 1

    Mail

    The letter lay unopened on the table for a week.

  2. 2

    Wedding gifts

    Most of the wedding gifts were still unopened when they moved house.

  3. 3

    Product returns

    Please return the headphones in their original, unopened packaging.

  4. 4

    Kitchen supplies

    I found an unopened bottle of olive oil at the back of the cupboard.

  5. 5

    Digital messages

    Her message stayed unopened in my inbox all weekend.

    • Meaning

      an unopened message

      one you have not clicked or read yet

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • unopenedadjective