Definition

Not cared for or looked after; neglected.

Example

The garden was left untended for years, resulting in overgrown weeds and wild plants.

Conversation

Have you seen the garden lately?

Yeah, it looks a bit untended and overgrown.

I thought so too; we should do something about it.

Definitely! A little work could make it beautiful again.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Untended → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not) and "tend" (from Old French *tendre*, meaning to stretch or to care for). The word "untended" means not cared for or neglected.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'not cared for' — 'un-' means not, and 'tend' relates to caring or stretching.

Visually Confused Words