Langimage
English

unsystematically

|un-sys-tem-at-ic-al-ly|

B2

/ˌʌnsɪstəˈmætɪkli/

(unsystematic)

not following a system

Base FormNoun
unsystematicunsystematicity
Etymology
Etymology Information

'unsystematically' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the adjective 'unsystematic' (the negative prefix 'un-' + 'systematic'), where 'un-' meant 'not' and 'systematic' ultimately derives from Greek 'systema' meaning 'an organized whole'.

Historical Evolution

'unsystematic' was created by adding the negative prefix 'un-' to 'systematic' (which came into English via Late Latin 'systematicus' from Greek 'systematikos' and Greek 'systema'), and the adverb 'unsystematically' was formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ally' to the adjective.

Meaning Changes

Initially, 'systematic' meant 'relating to or constituting a system' (from Greek 'systema'); over time adding 'un-' and '-ally' produced 'unsystematically', meaning 'in a way that does not follow a system'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Adverb 1

in a manner that lacks any system, order, or method; randomly or haphazardly.

The volunteers arranged the files unsystematically, which made it hard to find specific records later.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/09/15 18:40