Unresolved

/ʌnrɪˈzɒlvd/

adjectivemedium📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Not having been decided or solved; remaining open for further discussion or action.

/ʌnrɪˈzɒlvd/

adjectiveneutralmedium
General

Not settled or concluded; not brought to a definite conclusion.

The main conflict in the novel remains unresolved at the end.

💡 Simply: Imagine you have a puzzle that's not finished, or a problem you haven't figured out. That situation is unresolved.

👶 For kids: When something is not finished or fixed, it's unresolved. Like a game that's not over!

More Examples

2

They are working to find a solution to the unresolved issues.

3

Many mysteries about the universe remain unresolved.

How It's Used

Legal

"The unresolved legal dispute has been ongoing for years."

General

"Many problems remain unresolved after the meeting."

2

Not exhibiting firm purpose or determination; hesitant or ambivalent.

/ʌnrɪˈzɒlvd/

adjectiveneutralmedium
General

Lacking firmness or determination.

She was unresolved about whether to accept the job offer.

💡 Simply: Imagine you can't make a decision. You're unsure of yourself, like you haven't decided what to do.

👶 For kids: When you are not sure what you want to do, or you are not sure how you feel, you are unresolved.

More Examples

2

His unresolved feelings towards his father caused him problems.

3

The committee remained unresolved on the topic.

How It's Used

Psychology

"He seemed unresolved about his career path."

Personal Development

"She felt unresolved about her feelings towards him."

Tip:Think of someone struggling to make up their mind – unresolved.

Idioms & expressions

Unresolved feelings

Feelings or emotions that have not been dealt with or processed effectively, often causing emotional distress or impacting behavior.

"She sought therapy to address her unresolved feelings of grief."

Unresolved issue

A problem or matter that has not been dealt with and finalized.

"The trade negotiations ended without resolving the unresolved issue of tariffs."

From Middle English *unresolved*, from Old French *unresouldre* (to undo, to dissolve), from Latin *resolvere* (to loosen, relax, solve).

The term 'unresolved' has been used in English since the 16th century, initially in legal and literary contexts.

Memory tip

Think of an unsolved mystery – unresolved.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to loosen, relax, solve"

unresolved issueunresolved conflictunresolved feelingsunresolved problemunresolved matter

Common misspellings

unreslovedunresovledunreolved

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written