unforeseen JUST WRITTEN FOR YOU

/ʌnˈfɔːrˈsiːn/ · un·fore·seen
noun
  1. An event, incident, cost, or circumstance that was not foreseen. The company had to allocate extra funds to cover unforeseen expenses that arose during construction.
adjective
  1. Not foreseen; not anticipated or predicted. The storm brought unforeseen damage to the coastal town.
  2. Not expected; surprising or unplanned. Her arrival was an unforeseen delight at the reunion.
Did you know? The phrase “unforeseen circumstances” became a staple in legal contracts in the 19th century, providing a clause for events beyond the parties’ control.
Written by Lexi Wordsworth, Dictionary Editor 0 lookups Added Jul 14, 2026