easy
The joke had an unintended effect.
What does Unintended mean?
Unintended means not planned or meant.
Dictionary definition
Unintended means not planned, meant, or expected as a result.
Example sentences
Unintended in a sentence
medium
An unintended spelling change made the sentence confusing.
hard
A new rule can have unintended results if people use it in ways the writers did not expect.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice unintended in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
⬡ Earn 5 Honey
Practice the meaning of Unintended
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does unintended mean?
Unintended describes a result, effect, or action that was not planned or meant.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to unintended?
Accidental is close in meaning because it describes something not meant to happen.
Practice 3
Which word is a useful contrast for unintended?
Intended is the direct contrast because unintended means not intended.
Practice complete
Nice work!
You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
⬡ Earn 5 Honey
Unintended
Voice settings
Sounds like
un · in · ten · did · strongest beat: ten
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordUnintended.
Partadjective.
MeaningUnintended means not planned or meant.
ExampleExample: The joke had an unintended effect.
Word breakdown
4 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- un · in · ten · did
- Strongest beat
- ten
- Ending
- did
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on ten.
Your turn
Say Unintended
Record a short attempt, then compare it with the Coach. Your recording stays on this device and is not uploaded.
Coach
My attempt
Ready when you are.
Nice work—you practiced unintended.
Synonyms
Words like Unintended
unplannedUse when something was not planned.
accidentalUse when something happened by chance rather than on purpose.
Antonyms
Opposite words
intendedUse when something was planned or meant.
plannedUse when something was arranged ahead of time.
Synonym practice
Want to practice unintended synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The spilled paint was an unintended result of the rushed cleanup," then compare close word choices. Practice unintended synonyms.
Word family
Unintended word family
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Unintended
Hint for students
Unintended means something was not planned or meant. It often describes effects, results, consequences, or changes.
Common mix-up
Unintended is not the same as impossible to predict. It simply means the result was not what someone meant or planned.
Try it in class or at home
Write one sentence that shows unintended without using the word unintended. Then underline the clue words that show a result was not planned or meant. Example: The new seating chart made the room quieter, even though the teacher only wanted shorter lines. Clue words: made the room quieter, even though, only wanted shorter lines Now try your own sentence. Ask: Does my sentence show a result that was not planned or meant?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "The joke had an unintended effect." Why does unintended fit better than planned?
Learning activities
Practice Unintended and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice UNINTENDED” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice UNINTENDED
Sentence Builder
Write your own sentence with this word and revise with checklist feedback.
Write a sentence with UNINTENDED
Explore · Spelling
Spell Hive
Hear the word, type the spelling, and use spoken clues when needed.
Practice spelling
Explore · Definitions
Define the Word Hive
Choose the meaning that fits and get instant feedback.
Practice definitions
Explore · Matching
Vocabulary Match
Pair words with meanings and review misses with dictionary links.
Match meanings
Explore · Context
Context Clue Challenge
Use sentence clues to choose the word that fits the meaning.
Use context clues
Practice UNINTENDED
Synonym Search
Compare meanings in a question that includes UNINTENDED.
Practice UNINTENDED
Explore · Scramble
Scrambled Bees
Rebuild words from mixed-up letters for spelling practice.
Rebuild words