undelivered

USAGE SUMMARY

"undelivered" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was not delivered or was unable to be delivered. For example: "The package was undelivered due to an incorrect address."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their letter unread and their message undelivered.

The Guardian

THE strike-weary French have grown used to a day's worth of infrequent trains, absent teachers, undelivered post and unprinted newspapers.

The Economist

Mr Hollande is not just deeply unpopular; unlike Italy's Matteo Renzi, who has bravely made the case for (as yet undelivered) tough reforms, the French president has failed to convince voters that painful change, including a reduction in the size of the state, is inevitable.

The Economist

But none of the 23 justices in Washington county received their commissions before Adams left office at noon on March 4. When Jefferson took office, he discovered the signed, sealed, but as yet undelivered commissions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A few hours later a W.U. messenger arrived with a printed blank telling him why the telegram had been undelivered.

The New Yorker

He still had the three request letters, undelivered, and I asked if Tanka and others would be upset.

The New Yorker

The telegram, you see, is undelivered, Incidental Intelligence: All around the town, Woolworth's is selling wax roses without thorns for ten cents apiece.

The New Yorker

Over time, the tiles take on meaning: they are the petitions of the dead to the living — undelivered letters to the bright, silent world above.

The New Yorker

The telegram, you see, is undelivered,.

The New Yorker

International companies closed plants and sent workers home or out of the country; food staples went undelivered to stores; and banks remained closed during a week when many Egyptians, who are routinely paid monthly, would receive their paychecks.

The New York Times

Strictly speaking, going to the beach did not pertain to anyone's schoolwork, but it was a reward promised and undelivered.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undelivered", ensure the context clearly indicates what was supposed to be delivered (e.g., mail, goods, messages).

Common error

Avoid using "undelivered" with abstract nouns that cannot be physically delivered. For example, it's better to say "unfulfilled promise" rather than "undelivered promise".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "undelivered" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something has not been delivered. Ludwig examples show it describing mail, messages, goods, and promises that have failed to reach their intended destination or recipient.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "undelivered" functions primarily as an adjective, describing items that have not reached their intended recipient. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While versatile, it's best used with tangible nouns rather than abstract concepts like promises. Common alternatives include "not delivered" and "unshipped", depending on context. Found frequently in News & Media, the word's register remains neutral, fitting diverse writing styles. Remember, using "undelivered" correctly ensures clear and effective communication, avoiding ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not delivered

Rephrasing the original term using a negative construction.

failed delivery

A noun phrase describing the event of unsuccessful delivery.

unshipped

Focuses specifically on items that have not yet been sent.

returned to sender

Describes the situation where an item could not be delivered and was sent back.

unforwarded

Specifically refers to items that were not sent to a new address.

untransmitted

Emphasizes the failure of something to be conveyed or sent.

outstanding

Indicates something that is due but has not been completed.

misdirected

Highlights the item was sent to the wrong location.

not conveyed

Highlights the absence of communication or transfer.

in transit

Implies that something is on its way, but may not have arrived. This has an inverse meaning, so it needs to be used carefully.

FAQs

How can I use "undelivered" in a sentence?

You can use "undelivered" to describe items that have not reached their intended recipient. For example, "The package was marked as "not delivered" due to a wrong address".

What can I say instead of "undelivered"?

Alternatives to "undelivered" include "not delivered", "unshipped", or "outstanding" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "undelivered" and "unfulfilled"?

"Undelivered" typically refers to physical items or messages that have not reached their destination. "Unfulfilled" refers to promises, expectations, or obligations that have not been met.

Is it correct to say "undelivered promise"?

While grammatically correct, "undelivered promise" is less common than "unfulfilled promise". "Undelivered" is best used for tangible items or messages that can be physically delivered.