What does unmended mean?
Unmended is an adjective meaning that something has not been repaired, fixed, or otherwise restored. Its clearest traditional uses concern torn clothing, unresolved wounds, damaged buildings, and similar objects left in a broken or deteriorated state. Because a mend is both a physical repair and, by extension, a correction or remedy, unmended can also describe faults or problems that have been recognized but deliberately left without action. The expression often has a serious, slightly literary tone and may suggest neglect, persistence, or the failure of others to take responsibility. In everyday use, unrepaired is frequently more neutral and direct, while unmended can carry stronger emotional or figurative associations. The word is standard in both British and American English and is especially useful when the fact that a problem has remained untouched deserves emphasis.
adjectiveNot repaired, fixed, or restored to a satisfactory condition. It can also describe a wound, garment, structure, or other thing that has remained damaged or torn.
- Not repaired, fixed, or restored to a satisfactory condition.
- Left torn, broken, or otherwise damaged.
- Not corrected, improved, or otherwise remedied.
"The storm left several fences and windows unmended."
"He walked into the kitchen with his coat still unmended."
"The report exposed several serious problems that the committee left unmended."
"The old bridge remained unmended despite months of complaints."
Unmended names the stubborn persistence of damage: the wound, tear, or fault that has been left without repair.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unmended come from?
Unmended was formed in English by combining the negative prefix un- with the past participle of mend. The verb mend derives from Old English mendan and ultimately relates to Latin mendum, meaning a fault or defect. That same Latin root also lies behind cognates such as amend and emend, which developed meanings involving correction and textual improvement.
How unmended is actually used
The word is somewhat formal and literary. It is especially associated with damaged clothing, wounds, buildings, and other physical objects, but it can also be used figuratively for neglected faults or problems.
Easily confused with unmended
An unmended thing remains unrepaired, whereas an amended text, rule, or proposal has been formally improved or corrected.