Unforeseen
/ˌʌnfɔːˈsiːn/
Definitions
Happening or coming without warning or prior knowledge; not anticipated or predictable.
/ˌʌnfɔːˈsiːn/
Not anticipated or expected.
Due to unforeseen technical issues, the concert was postponed.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're planning a picnic, but suddenly it starts raining – that's an unforeseen problem! It's something unexpected that messes up your plans.
👶 For kids: Something that you didn't expect to happen, like when your pet cat hides somewhere.
More Examples
The unforeseen consequences of the policy change were widely debated.
They had to deal with unforeseen expenses when their car broke down.
How It's Used
"Unforeseen circumstances delayed the project's completion."
"The company faced unforeseen costs due to the recent market fluctuations."
"An unforeseen event changed the course of the presidential election."
Synonyms
From Middle English 'unforseene,' meaning 'not foreseen.' The prefix 'un-' negates the past participle of 'foresee,' meaning 'to see or know beforehand.'
The word 'unforeseen' has been used in English since the early 17th century, evolving from legal and philosophical contexts to broader application in general discourse.
Memory tip
Think of 'un-' (not) and 'foreseen' (seen ahead). Something unforeseen is something you didn't see coming.