VocabDictionary

unplugged

/ˌʌnˈplʌɡd/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Not connected to an electrical power source or an electronic network.

Example Sentences:
  • I spent the entire weekend unplugged, hiking in the mountains without my phone.
  • The unplugged lamp sat in the corner of the room.
2.adjective

Relating to a performance of popular music using acoustic instruments rather than electric or electronic ones.

Example Sentences:
  • The band gave an intimate unplugged performance of their greatest hits.
  • Her unplugged version of the song revealed the raw emotion in her voice.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “unplugged”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the prefix 'un-' (reversal) + 'plug' (Middle English 'plugge', likely from Middle Low German 'plugge' meaning a bung or stopper). The term gained cultural prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, specifically through the MTV Unplugged television series, which popularized the performance of rock music using acoustic rather than electric instruments.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Imagine a guitar cord being pulled out of an amplifier; the sound is now 'un-plugged' and purely acoustic.

Frequently Asked Questions About “unplugged

1. What is the meaning of “unplugged” in English?

In English, unplugged (adjective) is defined as: “Not connected to an electrical power source or an electronic network.”.

2. How do you use “unplugged” in a sentence?

I spent the entire weekend unplugged, hiking in the mountains without my phone.

3. What are English synonyms of “unplugged”?

Common synonyms include:disconnected,acoustic,unattached,offline

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “unplugged”?

Derived from the prefix 'un-' (reversal) + 'plug' (Middle English 'plugge', likely from Middle Low German 'plugge' meaning a bung or stopper). The term gained cultural prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, specifically through the MTV Unplugged television series, which popularized the performance of rock music using acoustic rather than electric instruments.