unprepared

adjective

un·​pre·​pared ˌən-pri-ˈperd 

: not prepared

was unprepared for class

… they were woefully unprepared to take on the responsibilities expected of them.

—Richard M. Ketchum

unpreparedness

ˌən-pri-ˈper-əd-nəs 

 also  -ˈperd-nəs

noun

Synonyms

• ad hoc
• ad-lib
• down and dirty
• extemporaneous
• extemporary
• extempore
• impromptu
• improvisational
• improvised
• off-the-cuff
• offhand
• offhanded
• snap
• spur-of-the-moment
• unconsidered
• unplanned
• unpremeditated
• unrehearsed
• unstudied

Examples of unprepared in a Sentence

an obviously unprepared acceptance speech by the surprise winner

Recent Examples on the Web

The summer season was made for all-day fun in the sun, but being unprepared in the scorching heat can quickly ruin a good time. —Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 23 June 2024

If the show stays strictly faithful to the trajectory of the books, fans of the show might be seriously unprepared for Eloise’s storyline, which sets her up with a country life of motherhood and domesticity. —Aja Romano, Vox, 18 June 2024

Opinion Covid is back, and the U.S. is unprepared for the next bug. —Editorial Board, Washington Post, 17 June 2024

Grieving the loss of her wife and thoroughly unprepared for the reality of raising a child alone, Kris teeters on the edge of collapse, fumbling in a daze of alcohol, shame, and self-loathing. —Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 17 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unprepared

• catch unawares/unprepared/by surprise