What does unopened mean?
“Unopened” is an adjective meaning “not opened”: it describes a package, letter, container, or other object whose seal, cover, or contents have not yet been accessed. It is especially useful when the fact that an object remains intact matters, as in “an unopened bottle of wine” or “she finally opened the unopened envelope.” The word can also occur predicatively, for example, “The carton remained unopened,” although attributive use before a noun is the most common. In commercial and practical contexts, “unopened” often implies new, unused, or still in its original condition, rather than simply closed. It can extend metaphorically to resources, routes, opportunities, or markets that have not yet been made available, although those uses are less frequent and may sound formal. “Unopened” is neutral in register and is used in both British and American English. Its straightforward negative construction distinguishes it from “closed”: an object may be closed but still have been opened previously, whereas “unopened” indicates that opening has not occurred at all.
adjectiveNot having been opened, especially a package, letter, container, or bottle whose contents or interior have not yet been accessed.
- Not having been opened, especially a package, letter, container, or bottle whose contents or interior have not yet been accessed.
- Not yet opened or made accessible, especially in figurative uses involving markets, routes, opportunities, or resources.
"The letter remained unopened on the kitchen table."
"The letter remained unopened on the kitchen table."
"We kept one bottle unopened until the anniversary."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unopened come from?
“Unopened” is a transparent formation from the prefix “un-,” meaning “not,” the root “open,” and the participial suffix “-ed.” The construction follows the ordinary English pattern of forming negative adjectives with “un-” and appears as a lexicalized form rather than a recent innovation. Related words from the same root include “open,” “opened,” “opening,” and “opener.”
How unopened is actually used
Most often used attributively before a noun, as in "an unopened package." It can also be used predicatively, as in "The carton remained unopened." The word is neutral in register and is used in both British and American English.