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undesirable

 - 3 dictionary results

un⋅de⋅sir⋅a⋅ble

  [uhn-di-zahyuhr-uh-buhl]
Use undesirable in a Sentence
–adjective
1. not desirable or attractive; objectionable: undesirable qualities.
–noun
2. a person or thing considered undesirable: a collection of malcontents and undesirables.
Origin:
1660–70; un- 1 + desirable

Related forms:
un⋅de⋅sir⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, un⋅de⋅sir⋅a⋅ble⋅ness, noun
un⋅de⋅sir⋅a⋅bly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To undesirable
un·de·sir·a·ble   (ŭn'dĭ-zīr'ə-bəl)   
adj.  

  1. Not likely to please; objectionable: undesirable intrusions.

  2. Not wanted: undesirable aliens.

n.  A person regarded as undesirable: "men tentatively regarded as scoundrels—or at least as undesirables" (New York).
un'de·sir'a·bil'i·ty n., un'de·sir'a·bly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

undesirable  (adj.)
1667, "not to be desired, objectionable," from un- (1) "not" + desire + -able. The noun meaning "undesirable person or thing" is first attested 1883. Undesired "not asked or invited" is recorded from 1470.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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