un-

See also UN

Pronunciation

• (UK) (US) (Canada) IPA ^(key): en or /ʌn/
• (AU) IPA ^(key): /an/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Prefix

Prefix un-

1. You add "un-" to the front of an adjective or adverb usually to mean the opposite of the original word making an antonym.

   You could say, "He is not happy", "He is unhappy", or "He is sad".

2. When "un" is added to the front of a verb it means to do something in reverse. That is, put something back the way it was before.

   First he wound the string on the stick, then he unwound it—so it was like he had done nothing.