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unwelcome

/ˈʌnˌwɛlkəm/
/ənˈwɛlkəm/
IPA guide

Other forms: unwelcomely

Things that are unwelcome are unpleasant or objectionable in some way. An unwelcome guest is one you didn't invite and you're not particularly happy to see.

People are sometimes unwelcome, like your boring cousin who shows up unexpectedly for a long visit at the worst time. Things can also be unwelcome, like bad news or heckling from the audience during your stand-up comedy routine. Anything you don't wish for and don't appreciate can be described as unwelcome. Welcome has its roots in the Old English wilcuma, a friendly greeting and earlier "a welcome guest," from willa, "pleasure or choice," and cuma, "guest."

Definitions of unwelcome
  1. adjective
    not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure
    unwelcome publicity”
    unwelcome interruptions”
    unwelcome visitors”
    synonyms:
    unwanted
    not wanted; not needed
    unbidden, uninvited
    unwelcome and unwanted
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    welcome
    giving pleasure or satisfaction or received with pleasure or freely granted
    wanted
    desired or wished for or sought
  2. adjective
    not welcome
    unwelcome publicity”
    synonyms: unwished, unwished-for
    unwanted
    not wanted; not needed
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘unwelcome'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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