untogether

English

WOTD – 22 July 2023

Etymology

PIE word
*de

The adjective and adverb are derived from un- (prefix meaning ‘not’) +‎ together. The noun is probably derived from the adjective.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌʌntəˈɡɛðə/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌʌntəˈɡɛðəɹ/
• Rhymes: -ɛðə(ɹ)
• Hyphenation: un‧to‧geth‧er

Adjective

untogether (comparative more untogether, superlative most untogether)

1. Not together.
   1. Not cohesive or united; disunited, disparate, separated; also, not coordinated; uncoordinated.
   2. (informal) Of a person or their behaviour: not composed; disorganized, sloppy.

      Synonyms: uncollected, uncomposed

      • 2005, H. D. Adamson, Language Minority Students in American Schools:

        This here little Sister name Mae was most definitely untogether.

      • 2006, John Kevin Young, Black Writers, White Publishers:

        […] Works, which will assist these backward, untogether niggers [sic] in getting themselves together.

   3. (informal) Of a situation: not under control; chaotic, disorganized.

Derived terms

• untogetherness

Translations

not cohesive or united — see disunited,‎ disparate,‎ separated

not coordinated — see uncoordinated

of a person or their behaviour: not composed — see disorganized,‎ sloppy

of a situation: not under control — see chaotic,‎ disorganized

Adverb

untogether (comparative more untogether, superlative most untogether)

1. In a disorderly manner; apart.
   • 2006, John Kevin Young, Black Writers, White Publishers:

     Just as Hinckle terms the dispersed text of Jes Grew “Untogether,” [...]

Noun

untogether (uncountable)

1. That which is not together.
   • 2007, Gordon Marino, Basic Writings of Existentialism:

     We characterize the together, or the untogether based on it, as a rum. The untogether belonging to such a mode of the together, lacking as something outstanding, can, however, by no means ontologically define the not-yet that belongs to Da-sein as its possible death.

Translations

that which is not together

• Finnish: ei yhdessä (adverb)
• Macedonian: please add this translation if you can