unspoken

adjective

un·​spo·​ken ˌən-ˈspō-kən 

: not spoken : expressed or understood without being directly stated

an unspoken agreement/assumption

an unspoken rule

Phrases

unspoken to

: not spoken to

… she had sat the whole evening through in the same chair without occupation, not speaking, and unspoken to.

—Anthony Trollope

Synonyms

• tacit
• implied
• implicit

Examples of unspoken in a Sentence

an unspoken promise to remain faithful to one another

Recent Examples on the Web

There's such an unspoken energy that is obviously really wrong, but everyone is okay with it. —Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025

As is the unspoken rule of preseason, especially for new additions, Okoro hasn’t campaigned for the Bulls’ presumably open fifth starting slot. —Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

Moody hues seemed to be the unspoken shades of the night, boasted by the likes of Elordi and Goth, in maroon suiting and inky black sheer respectively. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025

Marisa McMillan is a first-generation Caribbean-American writer, podcast host, and relationship management professional with a passion for storytelling, social justice, and asking the questions that often go unspoken. —Marisa McMillan, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unspoken

• awoken
• betoken
• heartbroken
• outspoken
• unbroken
• broken
• oaken
• spoken
• token
• woken