unopened
|un-o-pened|
🇺🇸
/ʌnˈoʊpənd/
🇬🇧
/ʌnˈəʊpənd/
not opened
Etymology
'unopened' originates from the Old English prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' combined with the past participle 'opened' of the verb 'open' (from Old English 'openian').
'unopened' formed in Late Middle English as a compound 'un-opened' (prefix 'un-' + past participle of 'open') and has remained in use into modern English with little change in form.
Initially it simply meant 'not open'; over time the word has kept that primary sense and extended metaphorically to senses like 'not yet available' or 'undeveloped'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not opened; not having been opened (a package, letter, bottle, door, etc.).
The package arrived unopened.
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Adjective 2
not yet opened for business, use, or access (a store, facility, event, etc.).
The new gallery remained unopened for months.
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Adjective 3
undeveloped or unexplored (an unopened market or area).
They focused on unopened markets overseas.
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Last updated: 2025/10/03 01:41