unbiased
un-BY-ust
/ʌnˈbaɪəst/
Showing no prejudice for or against something; impartial.
The standard, most common adjective for describing a lack of bias.
The story behind the word. The prefix 'un-' (not) added to 'bias'. It is the literal negation of the 'slant' or 'curve' in judgment.
Word relationships
- prejudice-free: Prejudice-free is more informal and emphasizes the lack of emotional dislike.
- biased: Showing prejudice or leaning toward one side.
Commonly confused with
- disinterested: Unbiased is the state of being fair; disinterested is the reason for being fair (having no stake).
Word family
- bias (noun): Prejudice.
Collocations
- unbiased opinion
- unbiased advice
- unbiased sample
Example sentences
- "To get an unbiased result, the study must use a double-blind method." Research
- "I need your unbiased opinion on whether this dress actually looks good on me." Advice
Memory hook
Think of a 'U' turn. You were biased, but you turned around to be 'Un-biased'. No slant, just the truth.
When not to use
It is very versatile, but in high-level legal contexts, 'disinterested' or 'impartial' might be preferred.
Fun facts
- In data science, an 'unbiased estimator' is a rule for calculating an estimate that, on average, hits the true value exactly.
Related words
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