unarmed
gb/ʌnˈɑɹmd/ us/ʌnˈɑɹmd/
B1
English
~ 9800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
state
1
not carrying weapons
Not having any weapons.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is unarmed
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "unarmed" with "unharmed" and "disarmed." "Unarmed" means not having weapons. "Unharmed" means not hurt or injured. "Disarmed" usually means that someone had weapons and they were taken away, or that someone made a situation less dangerous.
Synonyms
defenseless (Suggests being unable to protect oneself, not only lacking weapons but also lacking protection or power.)
|
weaponless (Less common and slightly more literary; focuses only on not having weapons, with little nuance about safety or power.)
|
unprotected (Emphasizes having no protection; may or may not imply the presence or absence of weapons.)
Antonyms
armed (Describes people or things that are carrying or equipped with weapons, the direct opposite of unarmed.)
Collocations
unarmed civilians
|unarmed suspect
|unarmed police officer
|unarmed man
|unarmed combat
|completely unarmed
Themes
safety
|crime
|war
|core_vocabulary
|law
Examples
- The officer claimed he fired in self-defense, even though the man was unarmed.
- Security guards at the mall are required to remain unarmed.
- Hundreds of unarmed civilians were trapped in the conflict zone.
- The protesters marched unarmed but were met by heavily armed troops.
- Soldiers received training in unarmed combat in case they lost their weapons.
Learner examples
- The police shot an unarmed man.
- The guards are unarmed, so they cannot use guns.
- Many unarmed civilians ran away from the fighting.
- The woman was unarmed when she entered the bank.
- He learned unarmed combat in the army.
adjective
technical
C1
property
2
without natural defensive parts
In science, having no sharp parts like spines, horns, claws, or a sting that can be used to defend or attack.
Usage pattern:
unarmed [organ/plant/animal part]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning talks about guns or human weapons. In scientific texts, "unarmed" often refers only to natural parts of plants and animals, such as spines, stings, claws, or horns.
Synonyms
non-spiny (Common in descriptions of plants; focuses specifically on the lack of spines, not all possible defensive structures.)
Antonyms
armed (In technical biological use, describes structures that have spines, stings, or other defensive parts.)
Collocations
unarmed plant
|unarmed leaves
|unarmed antennae
|unarmed species
Themes
science
|biology
|nature
Examples
- Unlike related species, this cactus is completely unarmed and has no spines.
- The insect can be identified by its unarmed antennae and smooth legs.
- Botanists noted that the plant’s stems were unarmed, lacking any thorns or prickles.
Learner examples
- In biology, some plants are unarmed and have no thorns.
- This animal is unarmed; it has no claws or horns.
- The leaves are unarmed, so you can touch them safely.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unarmed
IPA
GB/ʌnˈɑɹmd/
US/ʌnˈɑɹmd/
Syllables & stress
un - armed (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (armed)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unarmed
Word family
Expressions
go in unarmed
1/ɡˈoʊ ˈɪn ʌnˈɑɹmd/
fixed phrase
enter without weapons
To enter a place or situation without taking any weapons.
Examples
- The negotiators chose to go in unarmed to build trust.
- The team refused to go in unarmed after hearing there might be gunmen inside.
unarmed civilian
1/ʌnˈɑɹmd səvˈɪljən/
fixed phrase
civilian without weapons
A person who is not a soldier or police officer and does not have any weapons.
Examples
- The report says the victims were unarmed civilians.
- Aid groups are calling for better protection for unarmed civilians in the area.
unarmed combat
1/ʌnˈɑɹmd kˈɑmbæt/
fixed phrase
fighting without weapons
A way of fighting where people do not use weapons, only their body.
Examples
- All recruits must pass a course in unarmed combat.
- The movie shows several scenes of intense unarmed combat.
unarmed man
1/ʌnˈɑɹmd mˈæn/
fixed phrase
man without weapons
A man who does not have any weapons.
Examples
- The video shows an unarmed man lying on the ground.
- Police confirmed that the unarmed man posed no immediate threat.
unarmed police officer
1/ʌnˈɑɹmd pəlˈis ˈɔfɪsɚ/
fixed phrase
police officer without weapons
A police officer who does not carry a gun or other weapons.
Examples
- In some countries, most streets are patrolled by unarmed police officers.
- The city is debating whether unarmed police officers should respond to minor calls.
unarmed robbery
1/ʌnˈɑɹmd ɹˈɑbɚi/
fixed phrase
robbery without weapons
A crime where someone steals from a person or place but does not use any weapons.
Examples
- He was charged with unarmed robbery after taking cash from the store.
- Unarmed robbery carries a lower sentence than armed robbery in many places.
unarmed suspect
1/ʌnˈɑɹmd sˈʌspˌɛkt/
fixed phrase
suspected person without weapons
A person who may have done a crime and does not have any weapons.
Examples
- Witnesses say the police shot an unarmed suspect.
- The video shows the unarmed suspect walking away with his hands up.