unread

Unread is an adjective describing a text, message, document, or other item that has not yet been read. Its most familiar use is in digital environments, where an unread message is one that the recipient has received but has not opened or reviewed. The word can also describe a work that someone has not read, as in “an unread novel,” although this usage may suggest that the material has been ignored or left untouched. Unread should not be confused with unreadable, which describes writing that is difficult or impossible to decipher. An unread message may be perfectly clear and easy to read; it has simply not been read yet. The prefix un- provides the word with its basic contrast to read, while its modern prominence reflects the rise of email, messaging applications, and other interfaces that automatically track whether an item has been opened or acknowledged.

Not yet read, or not having been read. In digital communication, it often identifies a message that has been received but not opened or reviewed.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does unread come from?

Unread was formed in English by combining the prefix un-, meaning “not,” with the old verb read. The prefix itself is a native Germanic formation that was already present in Old English, while read has ancient Germanic ancestry and is related to forms such as reader and reading. The developed sense of unread as a status label became particularly common with electronic messaging systems, although the word has long been used for books and written materials.

How unread is actually used

The word is neutral in tone and is especially common in digital communication. It normally indicates that a text or message has not yet been read, rather than that it is difficult to read.

Easily confused with unread

Words and phrases paired with unread

What's the opposite of unread?

Rhymes with unread