Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

2 ADJ If you describe someone or something as unclean , you consider them to be spiritually or morally bad. □  They felt as though they had done something discreditable and unclean. □  …unclean thoughts.

un|clear /ʌ nkl I ə ^r /

1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If something is unclear , it is not known or not certain. □  It is unclear how much popular support they have among the island's population. □  Just what the soldier was doing in Bireij is unclear.

2 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ as to wh/n, ADJ wh] If you are unclear about something, you do not understand it properly or are not sure about it. □ [+ about ] He is still unclear about his own future.

Uncle Sam /ʌ ŋk ^ə l sæ m/ N‑PROPER Some people refer to the United States of America or its government as Uncle Sam . [mainly AM , JOURNALISM ] □  They are ready to defend themselves against Uncle Sam's imperialist policies.

Uncle Tom (Uncle Toms ) N‑COUNT In the past, some black people used Uncle Tom to refer to a black man when they disapproved of him because he was too respectful or friendly towards white people. [OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ] □  They had earlier caused yet deeper offence when referring to him as an Uncle Tom.

un|clothed /ʌ nkloʊ ðd/ ADJ [ADJ n, v-link ADJ , ADJ after v] If someone is unclothed , they are not wearing any clothes. [FORMAL ] □  He learned how to draw the unclothed human frame. □  It's considered improper to be unclothed in public.

un|clut|tered /ʌ nklʌ tə ^r d/ ADJ If you describe something as uncluttered , you mean that it is simple and does not contain or consist of a lot of unnecessary things. □  If you keep a room uncluttered it makes it seem lighter and bigger. □  The portraits are simple, uncluttered compositions.

un|coil /ʌ nkɔ I l/ (uncoils , uncoiling , uncoiled ) VERB If something uncoils or if you uncoil it, it becomes straight after it has been wound or curled up. If someone who is curled up uncoils , they move so that their body becomes straight. □ [V n] He uncoiled the hose and gave them a thorough drenching. □ [V ] Dan played with the tangerine peel, letting it uncoil and then coil again. □ [V ] Mack seemed to uncoil slowly up into a standing position.

un|combed /ʌ nkoʊ md/ ADJ If someone's hair is uncombed , it is untidy because it has not been brushed or combed.

un|com|fort|able /ʌ nkʌ mftəb ^ə l/

1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ , ADJ -ing] If you are uncomfortable , you are slightly worried or embarrassed, and not relaxed and confident. □  The request for money made them feel uncomfortable. □ [+ with ] If you are uncomfortable with your counsellor or therapist, you must discuss it. □  I feel uncomfortable lying. [Also + about ] ●  un|com|fort|ably /ʌ nkʌ mftəbli/ ADV [usu ADV adj/-ed, oft ADV after v] □  Sandy leaned across the table, his face uncomfortably close to Brad's. □  He smiled uncomfortably.

2 ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf] Something that is uncomfortable makes you feel slight pain or physical discomfort when you experience it or use it. □  Wigs are hot and uncomfortable to wear constantly. □  …an uncomfortable chair. ●  un|com|fort|ably ADV [ADV adj] □  The water was uncomfortably cold.