Definition

Describing a property that is not currently rented or lived in by anyone.

Example

The house has been untenanted for several months, waiting for new occupants.

Conversation

Have you seen that old house down the street?

Yeah, I noticed it's been untenanted for a while now.

It's such a shame; it could be really nice with some work.

Totally! I wonder why no one wants to rent it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Untenanted → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not) and "tenanted" (from Old French *tenir*, meaning to hold or occupy). The word "untenanted" means not held or occupied, referring to a space or property that is empty.

Memory Tip

Think of 'not' ('un-') being applied to a place that is 'held' ('tenir') — that's why untenanted means a place that is not occupied.

Visually Confused Words