un|ex|cep|tion|able
/ʌ
n
I
kse
pʃənəb
ə
l/ ADJ
If you describe someone or something as
unexceptionable
, you mean that they are unlikely to be criticized or objected to, but are not new or exciting, and may have some hidden bad qualities. [FORMAL
] □
The candidate was quite unexceptionable, a well-known travel writer and TV personality.
□
The school's unexceptionable purpose is to involve parents in the education of their children.
un|ex|cep|tion|al
/ʌ
n
I
kse
pʃən
ə
l/ ADJ
If you describe something as
unexceptional
, you mean that it is ordinary, not very interesting, and often disappointing. □
Since then, Michael has lived an unexceptional life.
□
The rest of the summer was unexceptional.
un|ex|cit|ing
/ʌ
n
I
ksa
I
t
I
ŋ/ ADJ
If you describe someone or something as
unexciting
, you think they are rather boring, and not likely to shock or surprise you in any way. □
He is regarded as very capable but unexciting.
□
It was a methodical, unexciting chore.
un|ex|pec|ted
◆◇◇ /ʌ
n
I
kspe
kt
I
d/ ADJ
If an event or someone's behaviour is
unexpected
, it surprises you because you did not think that it was likely to happen. □
His death was totally unexpected.
□
He made a brief, unexpected appearance at the office.
●
un|ex|pect|ed|ly
ADV
[ADV
adj, ADV
with v] □
Moss had clamped an unexpectedly strong grip on his arm.
SYNONYMS
unexpected
ADJ
unforeseen:Ring regularly to check that no unforeseen problems have arisen.
surprise:Baxter arrived here this afternoon, on a surprise visit.
sudden:He had been deeply affected by the sudden death of his father-in-law.
un|ex|plained
/ʌ
n
I
ksple
I
nd/ ADJ
[usu ADJ
n] If you describe something as
unexplained
, you mean that the reason for it or cause of it is unclear or is not known. □
The demonstrations were provoked by the unexplained death of an opposition leader.
□
Soon after leaving Margate, for some unexplained reason, the train was brought to a standstill.
un|fail|ing
/ʌnfe
I
l
I
ŋ/ ADJ
[usu ADJ
n] If you describe someone's good qualities or behaviour as
unfailing
, you mean that they never change. □
He had the unfailing care and support of Erica, his wife.
□
He continued to appear in the office with unfailing regularity thereafter.
●
un|fail|ing|ly
ADV
[usu ADV
adj, oft ADV
with v] □
He was unfailingly polite to customers.
□
Foreigners unfailingly fall in love with the place.
un|fair
◆◇◇ /ʌ
nfeə
r
/
1
ADJ
An
unfair
action is not right or fair. □
America decided that imported steel had an unfair advantage over steel made at home.
□
It was unfair that he should suffer so much.
□
The union said it was unfair to ask workers to adopt a policy of wage restraint.
●
un|fair|ly
ADV
[ADV
adj, ADV
with v] □
The tribunal found that she was unfairly dismissed.
□
He unfairly blamed Frances for the failure.
2
ADJ
[usu ADJ
n] An
unfair
system or situation does not give equal treatment or equal opportunities to everyone involved. □
The band is suing the show for unfair competition.
□
Some have been sentenced to long prison terms after unfair trials.
●
un|fair|ness
N‑UNCOUNT
□ [+ of
]
What about the unfairness of life? Why do bad things happen to good people?
