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Unappealing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unappealing

[ˌənəˈpiːlɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

appearance

Not attractive or pleasing to the eye.

Synonyms

repulsive, ugly, unattractive, unattractive, unsightly.

Examples of usage

  • The old building had an unappealing facade.
  • The food looked unappealing and unappetizing.
Context #2 | Adjective

character

Not interesting or desirable.

Synonyms

off-putting, unattractive, undesirable, uninviting, unpleasant.

Examples of usage

  • His unappealing personality made it difficult to be friends with him.
  • The proposal was unappealing to most of the team members.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Research shows that individuals are generally more drawn to visually appealing designs, affecting their mood and engagement levels.
  • The concept of aesthetics plays a significant role in how we perceive unappealing items, indicating that beauty might indeed be in the eyes of the beholder.

Culture

  • In the art world, many abstract pieces can be initially considered unappealing until the viewer takes the time to understand the deeper meaning.
  • Fast food has been criticized for its unappealing nutritional profile, emphasizing the importance of health over mere eye-catching presentation.

Literature

  • Authors often describe unappealing characters to evoke emotions of dislike or empathy, making the narrative more engaging.
  • In many novels, unappealing settings reflect the struggles of characters, enhancing the overall mood of the story.

Everyday Life

  • Certain unappealing foods might have health benefits, showcasing the discrepancy between looks and nutritional value.
  • In marketing, understanding what people find appealing or unappealing can significantly influence product design and advertising strategies.

Origin of 'unappealing'

Main points about word origin

  • The prefix 'un-' means 'not,' indicating the opposite of something, while 'appeal' comes from Latin, meaning 'to call out to' or 'to attract.'
  • The term started appearing in English in the 20th century as a way to describe objects, people, or ideas that failed to attract attention.

The word 'unappealing' originated from the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') added to the word 'appealing', which comes from the verb 'appeal'. The term 'appeal' has roots in Latin and Old French, ultimately deriving from the Latin word 'appellare', meaning 'to address, accost, invite'. Over time, 'unappealing' has come to be commonly used in English to describe things that are not attractive or desirable.

See also: appeal, appealing, appealingly, appeals, unappealingly.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,192 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.