unprepared

adjective

un·​pre·​pared ˌən-pri-ˈperd 

: not prepared

was unprepared for class

… they were woefully unprepared to take on the responsibilities expected of them.

—Richard M. Ketchum

unpreparedness

ˌən-pri-ˈper-əd-nəs 

 also  -ˈperd-nəs

noun

Synonyms

• impromptu
• improvised
• improvisational

Examples of unprepared in a Sentence

an obviously unprepared acceptance speech by the surprise winner

Recent Examples on the Web

His support also paved the way for discussions of the Raincoats supporting Nirvana on the road (which ultimately didn’t happen because of Cobain’s death) and releasing a new album, something da Silva and vocalist-bassist Gina Birch were unprepared for at first. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2025

Agency unprepared for the heat Franks and Littlejohn cited the outdoor cooling center as proof that HealthNet Gaston was unprepared to care for the city’s homeless population in the heat. —Charlotte Observer, 4 July 2025

Originally from Mississippi, the couple decided to stock up on cold-weather clothes after being caught unprepared during last year's winter storm. —Keith Sharon, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

The real problem is how unprepared the world remains to stop it. —Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unprepared

• catch unawares/unprepared/by surprise

Rhymes for unprepared

• aired
• bared
• blared
• caird
• cared
• chaired
• dared
• erred
• fared
• flared
• glared
• haired