unkept

IPA/ˌʌnˈkept/
IPA/ˌʌnˈkept/

unkept — adjective

  • unkeptpositive
  • more unkeptcomparative
  • most unkeptsuperlative

1. used to describe a promise, pledge, or agreement that someone has failed to carr

1.形容詞B2
釋義

used to describe a promise, pledge, or agreement that someone has failed to carry out or honour

例句

Yuki was hurt by her uncle's unkept promise to take her to the zoo.

unkept + noun (promise) in attributive position

Voters grew tired of the government's long list of unkept election pledges.

unkept + noun (pledge) — formal register

同義詞
  • unfulfilled

    very close in meaning; often used for wishes or expectations rather than promises

  • broken

    more informal and common in everyday speech; 'a broken promise' is far more frequent than 'an unkept promise'

  • violated

    stronger and more legal in tone; suggests a serious breach of trust or law

反義詞
  • kept

    direct opposite: 'a kept promise' means it was honoured

  • fulfilled

    common in formal writing about obligations or commitments

文法句型

unkept + noun (promise, pledge, agreement, contract)

用法筆記

Almost always used with nouns like promise, pledge, vow, agreement, or contract. Do not apply to people — 'an unkept person' is incorrect.

常見錯誤

❌He is an unkept man
✅He broke his promise.
💡unkept describes the promise or agreement, not the person who made it.

2. describes a garden, building, or outdoor area that has not been regularly cared

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a garden, building, or outdoor area that has not been regularly cared for or maintained

例句

The garden behind Devika's house had grown wild and unkept, with weeds reaching waist-high.

unkept + garden — predicative after 'grown'

An unkept park with rusty swings and cracked benches sat near Astrid's home.

unkept + park — attributive

同義詞
  • neglected

    the most direct synonym; also implies a lack of attention or care over time

  • overgrown

    specifically for gardens or yards where plants have grown too large

  • uncared-for

    less common but clear; can apply to both buildings and gardens

  • untidy

    broader; used for any unkempt space, not just outdoor areas

反義詞
  • well-kept

    the natural opposite: 'a well-kept garden' is neatly maintained

  • tidy

    common for indoor spaces; less typical for large outdoor areas

文法句型

unkept + noun (garden, building, yard)

用法筆記

In this sense, unkept is similar to untidy or neglected but less common in everyday speech — 'overgrown' or 'neglected' are used more often in casual conversation.

常見錯誤

❌The room was unkept
✅The room was messy / untidy.
💡unkept is used for gardens and outdoor areas or buildings, not for indoor rooms or personal appearance.