unwonted

1 of 2

adjective

un·​wont·​ed ˌən-ˈwȯn-təd  -ˈwōn- 

also -ˈwən-

or

-ˈwän- 

1

: being out of the ordinary : rare, unusual

… made his comeback with an unwonted show of humility.

—Walter Goodman

2

archaic : not accustomed by experience

unwontedly adverb

unwontedness noun

unwontedness

2 of 2

noun

un·​wont·​ed·​ness

: the quality or state of being unwonted : singularity, strangeness

Synonyms of unwonted

Adjective

• unusual
• extraordinary
• exceptional
• abnormal
• unique
• odd
• rare
• uncommon
• remarkable

Examples of unwonted in a Sentence

Adjective

He was surprised by her unwonted cheerfulness.

honored for the unwonted courage he showed in battle

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Batson posed a follow-up question about the uncertainty principle, politely requesting a reply without unwonted nonsense about bananas. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026

As in most wars, the most onerous burden falls on those who did not sign up for their unwonted parts in this great 21st century drama. —New York Times, 1 Mar. 2021

But Mr Tucker has brought an unwonted impatience to HSBC. —The Economist, 8 Aug. 2019

The unwonted activism of the Christian Democratic chancellor met with skepticism in the United States, in Europe, and certainly in Russia. —Elizabeth Pond, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2015

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1553, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

unwonted

adjective

un·​wont·​ed ˌən-ˈwȯnt-əd  -ˈwōnt- 

ˈən-

: being out of the ordinary : rare, unusual