Etymologically
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unconstitutional

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 26 October 2026 at 03:08. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • UK: /ˌʌnkɒntstɪˈtʃuːʃ(ə)n(ə)l/, /ˌʌnkɒnstɪˈtʃuːʃ(ə)n(ə)l/[1]
  • US: /ˌʌnkɑːntstəˈtuːʃ(ə)n(ə)l/, /ˌʌnkɑːnstəˈtuːʃ(ə)n(ə)l/[1]

Etymology

It is formed from English un- + constitutional, with the negative prefix.[2][3][4][5] constitutional is from constitution,[2][3] borrowed from Old French constitucion and Latin cōnstitūtiō, from cōnstituō (“to set up, establish”).[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Not in harmony with, or not authorized by, the political constitution of a state: 1734, in the Country Journal of 16 November.[2][3][6]

Semantic evolution

The word is older in the record than the political sense of its base: Etymonline dates constitutional in the sense "authorized by the political constitution" only from 1765, the earlier sense being "relating to a person's constitution".[3] From 1794, in Godwin's Caleb Williams, unconstitutional was also used of something not in keeping with a person's constitution or nature.[2] Merriam-Webster notes the specific American use, contrary to the Constitution of the United States,[6] and Black's Law Dictionary defines it as in conflict with a constitution, especially that of the United States.[7]

Timeline

  • 1734 – contrary to the constitution of a state.[2][3][6]
  • 1791 – unconstitutionalism and unconstitutionally.[8]
  • 1794 – not in keeping with a person's constitution.[2]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Not consistent with, or not permitted by, the constitution of a state or organization; especially, contrary to the Constitution of the United States: The court struck the ordinance down as unconstitutional.[9][6][2][7]

Word family

  • unconstitutionality
  • unconstitutionally
  • unconstitutionalism

References

  1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e f Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  5. ^ Dictionary.com Unabridged (2016), based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, New York: Random House
  6. ^ a b c d Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  7. ^ a b Garner, Bryan A., ed. (2004), Black's Law Dictionary, 8th ed., St. Paul, Minn.: Thomson West
  8. ^ Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  9. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins