Undisciplined: meaning, definitions and examples

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undisciplined

[ˌʌndɪˈsɪplɪnd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

behavior

Lacking in discipline or self-control; unruly or disobedient.

Synonyms

disobedient, uncontrolled, unruly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
undisciplined	Describes someone or something that lacks discipline. Often used in contexts related to behavior that is not controlled or structured. The undisciplined student often disrupts the class. His undisciplined approach to work has caused many issues.
unruly	Implying disruptiveness and a tendency to create trouble, typically in contexts related to behavior that defies control or rules. The unruly crowd caused chaos at the concert. She struggled to manage her unruly hair.
disobedient	Refers to refusing to obey rules or someone in authority, usually in the context of children, pets, or subordinates. The disobedient child refused to follow the teacher's instructions. Her dog is disobedient and never comes when called.
uncontrolled	Describes something that is not controlled, often used for emotions, reactions, or situations that are chaotic. The uncontrolled fire spread quickly through the forest. He reacted with uncontrolled anger when he heard the news.

Examples of usage

He was often punished for his undisciplined behavior in class.
The undisciplined child ran around the restaurant, causing chaos.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

work ethic

Not following a strict set of rules or guidelines; lacking in organization or structure.

Synonyms

careless, chaotic, disorganized.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
undisciplined	Use this word to describe someone who lacks control over their behavior or actions, often failing to follow rules or maintain order. It's typically used in evaluations of personal traits or behaviors and can have a negative connotation. The undisciplined student frequently disrupted the class His undisciplined approach to work led to numerous mistakes
disorganized	This word is used for people or places that lack structure, resulting in confusion and inefficiency. It can describe both personal habits and physical spaces, usually with an emphasis on chronic or frequent issues. His disorganized workspace made it hard for him to find anything She was disorganized and always late to meetings
chaotic	Use this word to describe situations or environments that are extremely disorganized and unpredictable. It refers to a state of complete confusion and lack of order. This term usually describes temporary situations rather than personal traits. The office was chaotic after the manager quit The situation in the city became chaotic during the protest
careless	This word describes someone who does things without enough attention or thought, often resulting in mistakes. It can be applied to both specific actions and general behavior, and usually carries a negative connotation. She made a careless error on her tax return His careless driving caused the accident

Examples of usage

His undisciplined approach to work often resulted in missed deadlines.
The undisciplined nature of the project led to confusion among team members.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'undisciplined' stems from the prefix 'un-', meaning 'not', and 'discipline', which relates to training or control.
Discipline, originating from the Latin word 'disciplina', means 'instruction' or 'training'.
The use of 'undisciplined' can be traced back to the early 19th century as a descriptor for behavior lacking restraint.

Psychology

People who are undisciplined may display impulsive behavior, often driven by emotions rather than logic.
Lack of discipline can lead to challenges in achieving long-term goals due to short-term temptations taking precedence.
Practices like mindfulness can help individuals develop better self-discipline and control over undisciplined actions.

Education

In educational contexts, undisciplined behavior can disrupt learning environments, affecting both students and teachers.
Teachers often implement structured routines to foster discipline and encourage a more focused classroom behavior.
Research shows that students with higher self-discipline achieve better academic results, contrasting undisciplined peers.

Cultural Perspectives

Different cultures have varying definitions of discipline, influencing how undisciplined behavior is perceived.
In some cultures, strict discipline is valued highly, while others may lean towards more relaxed or flexible approaches.
Children raised in environments without consistent discipline might struggle with authority later in life.

Pop Culture

Books and movies often depict undisciplined characters as rebellious, illustrating the tension between freedom and structure.
Many popular role models in entertainment showcase a battle with undisciplined traits, making them relatable to audiences.
Television shows frequently highlight the journey of undisciplined characters learning the importance of rules and order.

Translations

Translations of the word "undisciplined" in other languages:

🇵🇹 indisciplinado

🇮🇳 अनुशासनहीन

🇩🇪 undiszipliniert

🇮🇩 tidak disiplin

🇺🇦 недисциплінований

🇵🇱 niedyscyplinowany

🇯🇵 無秩序な

🇫🇷 indiscipliné

🇪🇸 indisciplinado

🇹🇷 disiplinsiz

🇰🇷 무질서한

🇸🇦 غير منضبط

🇨🇿 nedisciplinovaný

🇸🇰 nedisciplinovaný

🇨🇳 不守纪律

🇸🇮 nediscipliniran

🇮🇸 óagaður

🇰🇿 тәртіпсіз

🇬🇪 უდისციპლინო

🇦🇿 intizamsız

🇲🇽 indisciplinado

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,546, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
22543 oxidize
22544 straddle
22545 unpalatable
22546 undisciplined
22547 demoralizing
22548 cabled
22549 innovator
...