unadulterated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "unadulterated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is pure and untainted. For example, "It was an unadulterated pleasure spending time with you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Technological advances, as well as the sheer unadulterated vanity of social media, means that usage of the word "selfie" has increased by 17,000% over the past year.

The Guardian - Tech

Leaving Ntaria, Quilliam describes Kenny as "pure unadulterated strength".

The Guardian - Arts

The unadulterated fulfilment of those first few hours and days of new motherhood!

The Guardian - Opinion

There is an unadulterated joy to be derived from watching a performer make all the right movies, one after another.

The Guardian - Film

American soldiers were flexible enough to change tactics in order to defeat an insurgency that threatened to overwhelm them; their emphasis on recruiting local allies proved superior to the unadulterated fire power they had used at first.

The Economist

Besides having unadulterated mandates of combating poachers and preventing habitat encroachment, these contractors can also be given long-term payment incentives for reviving tiger populations.

The Economist

Even with the unadulterated goodwill of outsiders, the situation would be perilous and goodwill is not conspicuous in the Kremlin, which propped up Mr Yanukovych's presidency and now denounces those who ousted him as terrorists.

The Economist

To my boy's imagination they spoke not of squalid slaughter, but of unadulterated adventure.The squalor has now trumped the romance.

The Economist

Part of the appeal of the Victorian co-op stores was that they could be relied upon to sell unadulterated food.

The Economist

The perspective is that of a generation seeking the unadulterated truth about their parents and grandparents during the "dirty war"—and hence their own identity.

The Economist

No wonder Mr Adrià was stylishly slim where Mr Santamaría, white chef's jacket stretched to bursting point as he rose monumentally from his chair to berate his rival in public, was not.At his restaurant, he was quick to point out, the food was pure, unadulterated, and looked like what it was.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unadulterated" to emphasize the purity or completeness of something, especially when contrasting it with something that has been compromised or diluted. It can add a layer of intensity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "unadulterated" when a neutral term like "simple" or "basic" is more appropriate. "Unadulterated" often carries a stronger, more emphatic tone than simpler synonyms.

Linguistic Context

Unadulterated functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to emphasize their pure, complete, or genuine nature. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showcasing its role in intensifying the qualities of the nouns it modifies, as seen in examples like "unadulterated joy" or "unadulterated truth".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unadulterated" is a versatile adjective used to emphasize the pure, complete, or genuine nature of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively intensifies the qualities of the nouns it modifies. Found frequently in news, encyclopedias, and scientific texts, the term maintains a neutral register and serves to highlight the absence of compromise or dilution. Remember to use "unadulterated" when you want to stress the original or untainted state of a subject and to convey a stronger, more emphatic tone. While alternatives exist, understanding the specific nuance of "unadulterated" is key to effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pure

Focuses on the absence of contaminants or impurities.

genuine

Emphasizes authenticity and lack of artificiality.

absolute

Highlights completeness and lack of limitation.

sheer

Indicates something is nothing less than what it appears to be.

complete

Stresses the idea of something being full and not lacking anything.

unmodified

Suggests something has not been changed or altered.

pristine

Implies something is in its original condition, untouched or unspoiled.

unalloyed

Similar to pure, but specifically refers to metals not mixed with other substances, metaphorically extended.

undiluted

Implies strength and concentration, not lessened by mixture.

unmixed

Highlights the absence of combination with other elements.

FAQs

How can I use "unadulterated" in a sentence?

"Unadulterated" is typically used before a noun to emphasize its purity or completeness. For example, "The film was an "unadulterated delight"" or "He expressed "unadulterated joy" at the news".

What can I say instead of "unadulterated"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "pure", "genuine", or "absolute". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "unadulterated truth"?

Yes, "unadulterated truth" is a common and grammatically correct phrase. It emphasizes that the truth is complete and not diluted or compromised in any way.

What's the difference between "unadulterated" and "pure"?

While both words suggest a lack of impurities, "unadulterated" often carries a stronger emphasis on the completeness or intensity of something. "Pure" is a more general term, while "unadulterated" often implies a deliberate effort to maintain or restore something to its original state.