unsaid

Unsai d is an adjective meaning not spoken or not stated aloud. It can describe information, thoughts, or feelings that remain unexpressed, as well as remarks that were expected but not voiced. In broader usage, unsaid often carries a sense of subtext or implication, where meaning is conveyed without explicit articulation.

The term derives from the verb unsay, formed with the prefix un- attached to said. Historically, unsay meant to retract or deny words previously spoken, but the modern use of unsaid has expanded to describe things that are not said at all, rather than words that are taken back. In everyday language, unsaid can appear as part of phrases such as “to leave something unsaid” or “the unsaid truths,” highlighting information or emotions that are known or inferred but not spoken aloud.

In literature, film, and conversation, the unsaid often drives subtext and interpretation. It contrasts with unspoken (not spoken at all) and implicit (suggested but not directly stated), though the terms can be overlapping in casual use. Understanding the unsaid relies on context, tone, and shared knowledge, allowing readers or listeners to infer meaning beyond the explicit words.

See also: implied, implicit, tacit, subtext, silence.