unlooked-for

C2 Topic:Register & Style
US /ʌnˈlʊkt fɔr/ UK /ʌnˈlʊkt fɔː/
adj Freq #238841

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

    not expected or anticipated; unforeseen

    An unlooked-for delay forced the travelers to remain overnight.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adj · not expected or... unexpectedunforeseenunanticipated
Word family
Related forms unlookedunexpectedunsought

Etymology

Formed from the negative prefix un- and the phrasal expression looked for ("expected or sought"). The hyphenated form is especially common before a noun.

Topics

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