Pronunciation: [ʌnʃˈe͡ɪvən] (IPA) 
The spelling of "unshaven" in IPA phonetic transcription is /ʌnˈʃeɪvən/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short /ʌ/ sound, followed by /ʃ/ and long /eɪ/. The word ends with /v/ and the schwa sound /ən/. "Unshaven" is an adjective used to describe someone who has not shaved their facial hair. Properly spelling words is crucial to clear communication, so it's important to understand their phonetic transcription.
Unshaven is an adjective used to describe the state of being without a clean-shaven appearance, particularly in reference to facial hair. It refers to the condition of having a beard, mustache, or other type of visible facial hair growth, without having been recently trimmed or shaved.
When someone is unshaven, their face exhibits visible and often varying lengths of hair on the chin, cheeks, or upper lip, depending on their preferred style or pattern of growth. The term can also be applied to individuals who intentionally choose not to shave their facial hair regularly, leading to a disheveled or unkempt appearance.
The unshaven look can range from a light and stubbly appearance, commonly known as "five o'clock shadow," to a full, thick beard that extends past the jawline. It can convey a sense of ruggedness, masculinity, or nonchalance, but it can also be seen as an indication of laziness or lack of grooming.
Unshaven is often used in personal grooming discussions, fashion articles, or when describing the appearance of actors, musicians, or individuals in popular culture who adopt this style. It is a term that encapsulates the absence of a clean-shaven look, suggesting a deliberate decision to let facial hair grow without regularly removing or shaping it.
The word "unshaven" comes from the combination of the prefix "un-" (meaning "not") and the verb "shave". The verb "shave" originated from the Old English word "sceafan", which means "to scrape or shave off". Over time, it evolved into the Middle English word "shave". The addition of the prefix "un-" in "unshaven" indicates the negation of the action, referring to someone who has not shaved or has facial hair.
