Definition

Not yet having been separated from the mother's milk; still dependent on nursing.

Example

The unweaned puppy cried for its mother when it was left alone.

Conversation

Did you see that new puppy they got?

Yeah, it's so cute! But it seems a bit unweaned still.

Right? I heard they have to keep feeding it milk for a while.

Exactly, it's just a little too young to be on solid food.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Unweaned → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not) and "weaned" (from Old English "wenian", meaning to accustom or to wean). The word "unweaned" describes a state of not being accustomed to eating solid food, typically referring to young animals still dependent on their mother's milk.

Memory Tip

Think of 'not' ('un-') being applied to the process of 'accustoming' ('wenian') to solid food — that's why unweaned means not yet accustomed to eating solid food.

Visually Confused Words