Unmeaning: meaning, definitions and examples
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unmeaning
[ ʌnˈmiːnɪŋ ]
lack of meaning
The term 'unmeaning' refers to something that lacks significance or meaning. It can denote ideas, words, or actions that fail to convey a clear or logical message.
Synonyms
insignificant, meaningless, nonsensical, unimportant.
Examples of usage
- Many critics described the poem as unmeaning and insipid.
- Her speech was filled with unmeaning phrases that confused the audience.
- The unmeaning nature of his comments made it difficult to take him seriously.
Translations
Translations of the word "unmeaning" in other languages:
🇵🇹 sem significado
🇮🇳 बेतुका
🇩🇪 bedeutungslos
🇮🇩 tanpa arti
🇺🇦 безглуздий
🇵🇱 bez znaczenia
🇯🇵 意味がない
🇫🇷 sans signification
🇪🇸 sin significado
🇹🇷 anlamsız
🇰🇷 의미 없는
🇸🇦 بلا معنى
🇨🇿 bezvýznamný
🇸🇰 bezvýznamný
🇨🇳 没有意义
🇸🇮 brez pomena
🇮🇸 merkingarlaust
🇰🇿 мағынасыз
🇬🇪 არაფრისმთქმელი
🇦🇿 mənasız
🇲🇽 sin significado
Etymology
The term 'unmeaning' is a combination of the prefix 'un-', meaning 'not', and the root 'meaning', derived from the Old English 'mēnig', which means 'to signify or indicate.' The construction follows a common English pattern of negating a word by adding 'un-' to the front. While 'meaning' has been used in the English language since the 14th century, conveying the idea of significance or interpretation, 'unmeaning' is less commonly used and often carries a derogatory sense, suggesting that something is devoid of worth or intelligibility. The usage of 'unmeaning' can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries in literary and philosophical contexts, where authors sought to critique language or thoughts that were seen as vacuous or without depth. Its rarity in contemporary use reflects the evolving nature of language, where more straightforward synonyms like 'meaningless' are preferred in everyday conversations.