uninvited

uninvited — adjective

1. describes a person who arrives at a party, meeting, or someone's home even thoug

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describes a person who arrives at a party, meeting, or someone's home even though nobody asked them to come

Example

Élise showed up at the wedding with two uninvited cousins.

uninvited + noun (person): uninvited cousins

The security guard politely asked the uninvited guest to leave the party.

uninvited + noun (person): uninvited guest

Common collocations
  • uninvited guest
  • uninvited person
  • uninvited visitor
  • uninvited stranger
  • uninvited cousin
  • uninvited friend
Synonyms
  • unasked

    emphasises that nobody issued an invitation or request; slightly less common than uninvited

  • unbidden

    more literary or formal; suggests the person arrived of their own will, without being called

  • unwelcome

    stronger negative tone — implies the person was actively not wanted, not just not invited

Antonyms
  • invited

    the direct opposite; someone who was asked to come

  • welcome

    describes a person whose presence is desired

Grammar Patterns

uninvited + noun

be + uninvited

Usage Note

Only this sense describes a person who physically goes somewhere without an invitation. Sense 2 ('UNWANTED') is used for things or actions, not people.

Common Mistakes

She gave me an uninvited person hug.
She gave me an uninvited hug.
Sense 2 describes actions, not people. Use sense 1 when talking about a person who shows up without being asked, and sense 2 for unwanted things or contact.

2. describes something such as advice, attention, physical contact, or opinions tha

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes something such as advice, attention, physical contact, or opinions that you receive but do not want

Example

Renata received a lot of uninvited advice about her career choices from relatives she barely knew.

uninvited + abstract noun: uninvited advice

The singer complained about the uninvited attention from photographers outside her hotel.

uninvited + abstract noun: uninvited attention

Common collocations
  • uninvited advice
  • uninvited attention
  • uninvited comments
  • uninvited opinions
  • uninvited suggestions
  • uninvited hugs
  • uninvited contact
  • uninvited criticism
Synonyms
  • unwelcome

    very close in meaning; unwelcome often carries a stronger feeling of being actively rejected

  • unsolicited

    more formal; used especially for advice, emails, or calls that were not asked for

  • unwanted

    broader — can apply to objects, situations, or feelings, not just words or actions

Antonyms
  • welcome

    describes advice, attention, or contact that is appreciated

  • invited

    used figuratively for wanted opinions or participation

Grammar Patterns

uninvited + abstract noun

Usage Note

Commonly pairs with abstract nouns for things people say or do without being asked: advice, comments, attention, opinions, suggestions, contact. Distinguish from sense 1 ('NOT INVITED'), which only applies to people attending events or places.

Common Mistakes

He was an uninvited guest at my family dinner.' (when meaning an unwelcome event) —
This is correct in sense 1. But ❌ 'He gave me uninvited guest hugs.' is wrong
use sense 2 for unwanted actions.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe someone who appears without being invited, but they differ in tone and usage. 'Uninvited' is the most common and neutral — it simply states that no invitation was given ('an uninvited guest'). 'Unasked' is similar but slightly broader: you can be unasked for an opinion as well as for your presence. 'Unwelcome' carries a stronger negative charge — it implies that the person is actively disliked or not wanted, not just not invited. 'Unbidden' is the most literary and formal, often used in written narratives ('an unbidden memory surfaced'). For everyday use, 'uninvited' is the safest choice; choose 'unwelcome' when you want to emphasise that the person's presence caused discomfort. For example: 'The uninvited neighbour came to the barbecue' is factual, while 'The unwelcome neighbour kept making rude jokes' adds emotional judgment.

uninvited ↗unaskedunwelcome ↗unbidden

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • arrive uninvited
  • show up uninvited
  • come uninvited

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'uninvited' is formed in English by adding the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') to 'invited', the past participle of the verb 'invite'. The verb 'invite' comes from Latin 'invitare', meaning 'to invite, to ask someone to come'. The prefix 'un-' has been used in English since Old English times to reverse the meaning of adjectives and participles, so 'uninvited' literally means 'not having been asked to come'.