unadulterated
/,ʌnə'dʌltəreitid/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Pure, not mixed or diluted with any other substance or element: Refers to something in its natural, original state without any added impurities or foreign matter.
- Complete, absolute, and utter: Used as an intensifier to emphasize that a quality or state is total and unqualified, often in informal contexts. This usage can sometimes be pejorative.
Usage
- The adjective "unadulterated" is used to describe nouns. It can describe physical substances or abstract concepts.
- When describing a substance, it means it is pure and has not been altered.
- When describing an abstract quality (like nonsense, joy, or truth), it means it is absolute and complete.
Examples
- Describing a pure substance:
- The brand promises unadulterated honey, straight from the hive.
- He prefers unadulterated maple syrup on his pancakes.
- Describing an absolute quality:
- She told the unadulterated truth, holding nothing back.
- The children's laughter was a moment of unadulterated joy.
- That's unadulterated nonsense; don't believe a word of it.
Advanced Usage
- "unadulterated" as an intensifier: In informal speech and writing, "unadulterated" can be used to strongly emphasize a negative (or sometimes positive) quality, meaning "utter," "complete," or "downright."
- The plan was unadulterated madness from the start.
- After a long week, the weekend was unadulterated bliss.
Variants and Related Words
- Adulterate (verb): To make something impure or poorer in quality by adding another substance.
- It is illegal to adulterate milk with water.
- Adulteration (noun): The action of making something impure.
- The adulteration of spices is a common problem.
Synonyms
- Pure: Not mixed or adulterated with any other substance or material.
- Undiluted: Not diluted or mixed; often used similarly for liquids or concepts (e.g., undiluted enthusiasm).
- Absolute: Complete and total (often for abstract concepts).
- Sheer: Nothing other than; unmitigated (e.g., sheer luck).
Antonyms
- Adulterated: Mixed with impurities.
- Diluted: Weakened by adding another element.
- Impure: Not pure; mixed with other substances.
- Qualified: Limited or modified in some way (opposite of the intensifier use).
Adjective
- without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers
- an arrant fool
- a complete coward
- a consummate fool
- a double-dyed villain
- gross negligence
- a perfect idiot
- pure folly
- what a sodding mess
- stark staring mad
- a thoroughgoing villain
- utter nonsense
- the unadulterated truth
- not mixed with impurities
- unadulterated maple syrup