unwholesome

[ uhn-hohl-suhm ]
See synonyms for unwholesome on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. not wholesome; unhealthful; deleterious to health or physical or moral well-being: unwholesome food; unwholesome activities.

  2. not sound in health; unhealthy, especially in appearance; suggestive of disease: an unwholesome pallor.

Origin of unwholesome

1
Middle English word dating back to 1150–1200; see origin at un-1, wholesome

Other words for unwholesome

Other words from unwholesome

  • un·whole·some·ly, adverb
  • un·whole·some·ness, noun

Words Nearby unwholesome

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use unwholesome in a sentence

  • The woody hollow of Cowan's Bridge was foggy, unwholesome, damp.

    Emily Bront | A. Mary F. (Agnes Mary Frances) Robinson
  • Clothing, also, especially in boys the breeches, may give rise during childhood to unwholesome stimulation.

British Dictionary definitions for unwholesome

unwholesome

/ (ʌnˈhəʊlsəm) /


adjective
  1. detrimental to physical or mental health: an unwholesome climate

  2. morally harmful or depraved: unwholesome practices

  1. indicative of illness, esp in appearance

  2. (esp of food) of inferior quality

Derived forms of unwholesome

  • unwholesomely, adverb
  • unwholesomeness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012