Unpopular Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unpopular

[ʌnˈpɒpjʊlər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

opinion

Not liked, supported, or approved by many people.

Synonyms

controversial, disliked, unfavored, unwanted.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unpopular	This word is used when referring to something or someone that is not liked by many people. It is typically neutral and doesn't always imply a strong negative feeling. The new law is unpopular among the citizens. She is an unpopular teacher because of her strict rules.
disliked	More direct and personal than 'unpopular', it indicates that people have a general negative opinion about something or someone. The new policy is widely disliked by the employees. He is disliked by his classmates for his rude behavior.
unfavored	This is less common and suggests a lack of preference or support, often in formal contexts. It might be used when someone or something is not receiving favor or approval. The unfavored candidate still managed to win the election. In the business world, unfavored methods are often overlooked.
controversial	Used for topics, actions, or people that provoke strong opinions and are often the subject of heated debates. It generally implies a situation where there are significant disagreements. The decision to cancel the event was highly controversial. His speech touched on several controversial topics.
unwanted	This word indicates something or someone that is not desired at all. It has a stronger negative meaning and often implies that the presence of the person or thing is problematic. The stray dog was an unwanted visitor in the neighborhood. She felt like an unwanted guest at the party.

Examples of usage

It was an unpopular decision to raise the taxes.
His ideas were unpopular among the group.
The new policy was met with widespread unpopular sentiment.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

popularity

Not popular or in favor at a particular time or in a particular context.

Synonyms

out of favor, uncool, unfashionable, unhip.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unpopular	Used to describe someone or something that is not liked by many people. The new policy was highly unpopular among the staff He was an unpopular kid at school
unfashionable	Describes something that is not in line with current fashion trends, often related to clothing or style. Her dress was considered unfashionable by her peers Clunky shoes are generally seen as unfashionable
out of favor	Often refers to someone or something that has lost approval or support, especially after once being popular. The brand has fallen out of favor with younger consumers The king's adviser was out of favor at court
uncool	Used in informal settings to describe something that is not seen as stylish or socially acceptable, often by younger people. Wearing socks with sandals is so uncool It's uncool to ditch your friends
unhip	Similar to 'uncool,' but with a stronger emphasis on being out of touch with modern trends or culture. His music taste is really unhip You don’t want to come off as unhip at a tech conference

Examples of usage

The show was canceled due to its unpopular ratings.
The unpopular product failed to gain traction in the market.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Social Dynamics

Unpopularity often arises during adolescence, where peer acceptance heavily influences an individual's social standing.
Certain cultural trends can make some things unpopular, demonstrating how rapidly opinions can change over time.
Being unpopular does not always indicate a lack of worth; in many cases, it can signify uniqueness or a different perspective.

Psychology

Research shows that being unpopular can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, impacting mental health.
Contrarily, some individuals who are deemed unpopular find strength in their differences and can have unique life experiences.
Social rejection, such as unpopularity, activates the same neural pathways in the brain as physical pain.

Pop Culture

Many films and TV shows explore themes of unpopularity, such as 'Mean Girls', where social hierarchies are dissected.
Musicians sometimes embrace their unpopularity to cultivate a niche following, turning it into a badge of honor.
Books that were initially deemed unpopular can later be celebrated as classics, changing perceptions over time.

Literature

Many classic authors, including Emily Dickinson and Franz Kafka, were considered unpopular during their lifetimes but gained acclaim later.
In literature, the theme of the 'underdog' often represents unpopular characters who overcome challenges and societal expectations.
Stories often convey that unpopularity can lead to personal growth, showcasing characters who learn to find their voice despite rejection.

Origin of 'unpopular'

Main points about word origin

The word is made up of 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'popular' which means 'liked by many people'.
It has been in use since the early 17th century, reflecting social dynamics in different communities.
In Latin, 'popularis' means 'belonging to the people', highlighting how something that is unpopular stands apart from the majority.

The word 'unpopular' originated from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'popular', which comes from the Latin 'popularis' meaning 'belonging to the people'. The concept of popularity has always been a part of human society, with certain ideas, people, or things gaining favor and others being deemed unpopular.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,817, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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11814 arguably
11815 shrinking
11816 glazed
11817 unpopular
11818 gatherings
11819 mediator
11820 capitalization
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