unbidden

adjective

un·​bid·​den ˌən-ˈbi-dᵊn How to pronounce unbidden (audio)
variants or less commonly unbid
: not bidden : unasked, uninvited
barged in unbidden

Examples of unbidden in a Sentence

thoughts that come to the mind unbidden she arrived, unbidden, to help out at the Red Cross center
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The surprise, unbidden possibility of victory endowed Harris with a mystique. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 7 Sep. 2024 These are the moments when artistry sneaks in unbidden; Annabel understands that if art is created out of life, the latter has to have space to happen. Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 1 July 2024 Still, unbidden and unpaid endorsements are regularly provided by celebrities, including Kerry Washington and Kendall Jenner, who have raved in interviews about the Cloud Sofa, an RH staple that currently starts at about $4,800. David Segal, New York Times, 8 June 2024 After dessert, Caro went unbidden to the kitchen, returning with a thermal carafe of hot water and a brown jar of Nescafé. Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unbidden 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English unbiden, unbeden, from Old English unbeden, from un- + beden, past participle of biddan to entreat — more at bid entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unbidden was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near unbidden

Cite this Entry

“Unbidden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unbidden. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

unbidden

adjective
un·​bid·​den ˌən-ˈbid-ᵊn How to pronounce unbidden (audio)
variants also unbid
: not bidden : unasked, uninvited
she barged in unbidden
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