unattended

adjective

un·​at·​tend·​ed ˌən-ə-ˈten-dəd 

: not attended : not watched or looked after : lacking a guard, escort, caretaker, etc.

an unattended parking lot

a fire left unattended

unattended children

unattended luggage

Examples of unattended in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Deputies said that two adult women had brought their children to the pool, placed several floatation devices in the water, and then left the children unattended. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026

Or the fact that my beach towel would never go more than a few minutes unattended before it was neatly refolded, the sand shaken out by a pair of seemingly invisible hands. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026

And, under the new policy, unattended tethering, such as using a rope or chain to keep a dog outside, is banned for dogs under 6 months old, pregnant dogs or nursing dogs. —David Clarey, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Miami International Airport was partially evacuated for more than two hours Sunday after luggage was left unattended at Departures Door 21, causing panic among travelers and airport staff. —Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unattended

• apprehended
• comprehended
• condescended
• recommended
• resuspended
• unamended
• undefended
• undescended
• unexpended
• unintended
• amended
• appended