unwashed

1 of 2

adjective

un·​washed ˌən-ˈwȯsht 

-ˈwäsht

1

: not cleaned with or as if with soap and water

a sink full of unwashed dishes

2

: ignorant, plebeian

the unwashed masses

unwashedness noun

unwashed

2 of 2

noun

old-fashioned + humorous

: an ignorant or underprivileged group : rabble

—usually used with great

the great unwashed

Synonyms of unwashed

Adjective

• low
• lumpen
• humble
• plebeian
• proletarian
• lower-class
• lowly
• ignoble
• poor
• vulgar
• low-life
• inferior

Noun

• masses
• rabble
• populace
• public
• proletariat
• people
• trash

Examples of unwashed in a Sentence

Adjective

a sink full of unwashed dishes

a TV producer who knew what the unwashed masses wanted—and unhesitatingly gave it to them

Noun

Aunt Edna was fond of snootily reminding us that we need not take our manners from the great unwashed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Salmonella can contaminate food in various ways, the CDC says, either through the water used to grow fruits and vegetables, or by cross-contamination caused by unwashed hands or food preparation instruments. —Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026

While this usually isn't a cause for concern, sharing drinks introduces additional bacteria, and touching the glass or straw with unwashed hands can introduce more. —Christina Manian, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Dec. 2025

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. —Mark Prussin, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025

Sorry Lady Liberty – no unwashed masses need apply. —Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unwashed

• the (great) unwashed

Rhymes for unwashed

• brainwashed
• whitewashed
• quashed
• sloshed
• squashed
• washed