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

Bliss is said to have examined Garfield's wounds with unwashed hands and dirty tools, and the president's death further damaged his reputation. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025

While the scent of Feigenbaum's unwashed socks may deter some, the familiar scent of her friend appealed to Sunny. —Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025

The Chinese mill’s Soft Raw collection enables customer to use unwashed denim directly off the roll with a soft comfortable hand and deep dark inky indigo shades. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2025

For such a popular restaurant, Matsuri tolerates a lot of flies, unwashed walls and substandard handwashing, as detailed in a Miami Herald story this week on last week’s inspection. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 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