unshaven

unshaven — adjective

1. describes a man whose face still has short rough hairs growing on it because he

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describes a man whose face still has short rough hairs growing on it because he has not shaved recently

Example

Minho turned up for the meeting looking tired and unshaven, still in yesterday's clothes.

linking verb + unshaven, paired with a descriptor

Beatrix noticed her brother had been unshaven for three days, which was unusual for him.

present perfect of 'be' + unshaven + duration phrase

Common collocations
  • unshaven face
  • unshaven chin
  • unshaven jaw
  • look unshaven
  • appear unshaven
  • go unshaven
Synonyms
  • unshaved

    identical meaning; less common in writing than 'unshaven'

  • stubbly

    more informal, emphasises the rough texture of short regrown hairs

  • bearded

    implies fuller, intentional facial hair rather than a day or two of stubble

Antonyms
  • shaven

    direct opposite; describes a face that has been shaved clean

  • clean-shaven

    idiomatic; emphasises the neat, freshly shaved appearance

Usage Note

Not gradable — you cannot say 'more unshaven' or 'very unshaven'. Typically describes a man's face, not women's legs or other body parts. Used both before a noun (attributive) and after verbs like 'look', 'appear', or 'be' (predicative).

Common Mistakes

He is unshaven his face.
He is unshaven.' or 'He has an unshaven face.
unshaven is an adjective and cannot take a direct object.
He didn't unshave this morning.
He didn't shave this morning.
unshaven is an adjective; the verb form is 'shave', not 'unshave'.