Unprotected
/ʌnprəˈtɛktɪd/
Definitions
Not guarded, shielded, or defended from danger, harm, or attack.
/ʌnprəˈtɛktɪd/
Lacking protection or defense.
The soldiers were left unprotected against enemy fire.
💡 Simply: It's like being without a safety net. If something bad happens, you don't have anything to keep you safe. Like, if you walk in a thunderstorm without an umbrella, you're unprotected from the rain.
👶 For kids: Not safe. Like if you forget your helmet when you ride your bike, you're unprotected!
More Examples
Due to the power outage, the data was unprotected and vulnerable to loss.
Many endangered species are unprotected from poachers.
She went on a hike, unprotected from the sun's harmful rays.
How It's Used
"The unprotected buildings were vulnerable to the storm."
"Unprotected sex carries a risk of sexually transmitted infections."
From *un-* (not) + *protected* (past participle of protect). *Protect* comes from Latin *prōtegere* 'to cover in front, defend'.
Used since the early 17th century, reflecting the need to describe lack of defense in various contexts.
Memory tip
Think of someone without a shield in a fight.