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undefeated

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Etymology and origin of the English word undefeated

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1701
Ultimate origin
English un-,defeated

Pronunciation

  • UK: /ˌʌndɪˈfiːtɪd/, /ˌʌndəˈfiːtɪd/[1]
  • US: /ˌʌndɪˈfiːt̬ɪd/[1]

Etymology

It is formed from English un- + defeated,[2][3][4] the past participle of defeat,[3][4] which goes back through Anglo-Norman defeter to Old French desfait, the past participle of desfaire (“to undo”).[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Not defeated: Etymonline dates it to 1701,[3] but the OED's first quotation is from Shelley's Rosalind and Helen (1819).[2]

Semantic evolution

It has been used of competitors in sports and games since about 1875,[3] and that is now its commonest use, of a team, player or champion that has not lost.[5][4]

Timeline

  • 1701 – not defeated.[3]
  • 1819 – first OED quotation, in Shelley.[2]
  • 1875 – of participants in sports and games.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Not having been defeated; never beaten, especially in a contest or a sports season: The club finished the season undefeated.[5][4][2]

References

  1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  5. ^ a b Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
Cite this entry

“Undefeated.” Etymologically, 26 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/undefeated. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·