What does unanimously mean?
Unanimously means that every person involved agrees, with no one dissenting or opposing the decision. It is commonly used for votes, jury verdicts, committee decisions, and formal proposals: a motion may be unanimously approved, or a jury may return a unanimous verdict. The word is more precise and stronger than saying that most people agree, because it indicates that there is no recorded opposition. Although it is usually used in formal and institutional contexts, it can also describe natural agreement among friends, colleagues, or members of a group. Unanimously comes from the adjective unanimous, which was borrowed from Latin unanimis, meaning “of one mind.” The adverb adds the usual English suffix -ly to the adjective. Its formal tone makes it especially useful in public decisions, official reports, and situations where the completeness of agreement is important.
adverbIn a way that shows all people agree, with no dissent or opposition.
- With complete agreement by all the people concerned and without dissent.
"The proposal was unanimously approved by the committee."
"The members unanimously agreed to postpone the meeting."
"Her proposal was unanimously welcomed by the editorial board."
Unanimously comes from the Latin for “of one mind,” so it describes an outcome in which everyone shares the same view.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unanimously come from?
Unanimously derives from the adjective unanimous, which entered English from Latin unanimis, meaning “of one mind” or “agreeing.” Latin unanimis was formed from unus, “one,” and animus, “mind.” The English adverb was formed by adding -ly to the adjective, a productive pattern for forming adverbs from adjectives.
How unanimously is actually used
This is a formal word commonly used in reporting decisions, votes, and agreements. It implies agreement by everyone, not merely approval by a majority.