Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

uni|ver|sity ◆◆◆ /juː n I vɜː ^r s I ti/ (universities ) N‑VAR ; N‑COUNT A university is an institution where students study for degrees and where academic research is done. □  Patrick is now at London University. □  They want their daughter to go to university, but they are also keen that she get a summer job. □  The university refused to let the controversial politician speak on campus.

un|just /ʌ ndʒʌ st/ ADJ If you describe an action, system, or law as unjust , you think that it treats a person or group badly in a way that they do not deserve. □  The attack on Charles was deeply unjust. □  He spent 25 years campaigning against racist and unjust immigration laws. ●  un|just|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □  She was unjustly accused of stealing money and then given the sack.

un|jus|ti|fi|able /ʌ ndʒʌst I fa I əb ^ə l, ʌndʒʌ st I fa I əb ^ə l/ ADJ If you describe an action, especially one that harms someone, as unjustifiable , you mean there is no good reason for it. □  Using these missiles to down civilian aircraft is simply immoral and totally unjustifiable. ●  un|jus|ti|fi|ably ADV □  The press invade people's privacy unfairly and unjustifiably every day.

un|jus|ti|fied /ʌ ndʒʌ st I fa I d/ ADJ If you describe a belief or action as unjustified , you think that there is no good reason for having it or doing it. □  Your report was based upon wholly unfounded and totally unjustified allegations. □  The commission concluded that the police action was unjustified.

un|kempt /ʌ nke mpt/ ADJ If you describe something or someone as unkempt , you mean that they are untidy, and not looked after carefully or kept neat. □  His hair was unkempt and filthy. □  …the unkempt grass. □  …an unkempt old man.

un|kind /ʌnka I nd/ (unkinder , unkindest )

1 ADJ If someone is unkind , they behave in an unpleasant, unfriendly, or slightly cruel way. You can also describe someone's words or actions as unkind . □ [+ to ] All last summer he'd been unkind to her. □  No one has an unkind word to say about him. □  Without wishing to be unkind, she's not the most interesting company. ●  un|kind|ly ADV [ADV with v] □  Several viewers commented unkindly on her dress sense. □  'He's a bit of an eccentric old fatty,' Thomas thought, unkindly. ●  un|kind|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] He realized the unkindness of the remark and immediately regretted having hurt her with it.

2 ADJ If you describe something bad that happens to someone as unkind , you mean that they do not deserve it. [WRITTEN ] □ [+ to ] The weather was unkind to those pipers who played in the morning. □  …a shared conviction that some unkind fate or chance is keeping them apart.

un|know|able /ʌ nnoʊ əb ^ə l/ ADJ If you describe something as unknowable , you mean that it is impossible for human beings to know anything about it. [WRITTEN ] □  Any investment in shares is a bet on an unknowable future flow of profits. □  The specific impact of the greenhouse effect is unknowable.

un|know|ing /ʌ nnoʊ I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a person as unknowing , you mean that they are not aware of what is happening or of what they are doing. □  Some governments have been victims and perhaps unknowing accomplices in the bank's activities.