unwashed
C1formal, literary
Definition
Meaning
not cleaned with water; dirty from lack of washing
ignorant, uncultured, or unsophisticated; the common populace (especially in the phrase "the great unwashed")
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Literal sense used for objects/body parts. Figurative sense is now often archaic, humorous, or derogatory when referring to people.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the literal meaning. The figurative phrase "the great unwashed" is more common in British historical/literary contexts.
Connotations
Figurative use is strongly pejorative and classist.
Frequency
Literal use is uncommon but understood. Figurative use is rare in modern everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] + unwashed[remain] + unwashedthe + unwashed + [plural noun]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the great unwashed (the common people, often used disparagingly)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Occurs in historical/sociological texts discussing class.
Everyday
Rare. Mostly literal, e.g., 'Put the unwashed cups in the sink.'
Technical
Used in medicine/health contexts (e.g., 'unwashed hands spread germs').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Not standard; 'unwashed' is not a verb.)
American English
- (Not standard; 'unwashed' is not a verb.)
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; 'unwashed' is not an adverb.)
American English
- (Not standard; 'unwashed' is not an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- He wore the same unwashed shirt for three days.
- The unwashed windows obscured the view.
American English
- She tied back her unwashed hair.
- The unwashed salad made him ill.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please don't eat with unwashed hands.
- My football kit is still unwashed.
- The unwashed dishes were piled high in the sink.
- He left his unwashed car out in the rain.
- The journalist accused the politician of despising the great unwashed.
- Unwashed fruit can carry harmful bacteria.
- The novel's aristocrat viewed the bustling city dwellers as the great unwashed.
- A bundle of unwashed linen was found in the ancient tomb.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
UN + WASHED = NOT cleaned. Think of a sign: "UNWASHED vegetables may contain dirt."
Conceptual Metaphor
DIRT IS IGNORANCE / LACK OF REFINEMENT (in figurative use).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'the great unwashed' as 'великие немытые'. Use 'простонародье', 'чернь', or 'необразованные массы' for the figurative sense.
- The literal adjective 'unwashed' is 'немытый', but the word order differs. 'Unwashed hands' is 'немытые руки'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'unwashed' to mean 'unwanted' (e.g., 'unwashed mail' is wrong).
- Using it as a verb (*'I unwashed the car').
- Overusing the figurative sense in modern contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In its derogatory, figurative sense, 'the great unwashed' refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Unwashed' is strictly an adjective (the past participle of 'wash'). You cannot say 'I unwashed it.'
No. It is a historical, pejorative term expressing contempt for the lower social classes. Avoid using it in modern, respectful discourse.
The literal sense, describing objects or body parts that have not been cleaned with water and soap (e.g., unwashed hands, unwashed clothes).
Yes. 'Unwashed' specifically implies not having undergone a washing process. Something can be dirty (e.g., dusty) without needing a wash, and something unwashed (e.g., a rinsed cup) may not appear visibly dirty.