unfollow
unfollow
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "unfollow" is /ʌnˈfɒləʊ/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
un: /ʌn/
/ʌ/ - the vowel sound in "strut" or "cut"
/n/ - the consonant sound in "nap"
fol: /ˈfɒl/
/ˈf/ - the consonant sound in "fan" (the ' indicates primary stress on this syllable)
/ɒ/ - the vowel sound in "lot" or "hot"
/l/ - the consonant sound in "lap"
low: /əʊ/
/əʊ/ - a diphthong, similar to the vowel sound in "go" or "show"
Word Form Variations
"Unfollow" primarily functions as a verb. Therefore, its variations are based on verb conjugations:
Base form: unfollow (present tense, infinitive)
Third-person singular present: unfollows
Past tense: unfollowed
Present participle/gerund: unfollowing
Past participle: unfollowed
There isn't a noun form, plural form, or adjective form of "unfollow" in standard English usage. While you could theoretically create a noun like "unfollower" (referring to someone who has unfollowed someone), that's a derived word, not a core variation of "unfollow" itself.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
"Unfollow" primarily functions as a verb. It doesn't have standard noun, adjective, or adverb forms in common usage.
Verb:
Definition: To cease following or subscribing to someone's content or updates on a social media platform or other online service. It implies a deliberate action to disconnect from someone's feed or updates.
Synonyms: Unsubscribe, disconnect, remove, de-friend (in some contexts), disassociate, withdraw from, opt out.
Antonyms: Follow, subscribe, connect, friend (in some contexts), associate with, keep up with.
Example: "I had to unfollow him after he started posting offensive content."
Derived Terms (Not Core Variations):
Noun (Derived): Unfollower
Definition: A person who has unfollowed someone on a social media platform or other online service.
Synonyms: Deserter (informal), former follower, lapsed follower.
Antonyms: Follower, subscriber, fan.
Example: "He was upset by the number of unfollowers he gained after the controversy."
Adjective (Derived - Less Common): Unfollowed
Definition: Describes someone who has had followers cease following them. Often used in the context of social media.
Synonyms: Abandoned (in some contexts), deserted (in some contexts).
Antonyms: Followed, popular, subscribed to.
Example: "The once-popular influencer was now largely unfollowed." (This usage is less standard.)
It's important to note that the derived noun and adjective forms are less common and more informal than the verb form. They are often used in the specific context of social media and online interactions.
Examples of Use
Online Publications/News:
"Many users decided to unfollow the celebrity after their controversial tweet." News articles frequently report on celebrities or influencers losing followers, though they might phrase it as "lost thousands of followers" rather than explicitly using "unfollow" as a verb.
Articles discussing social media trends often mention "unfollowing" as a strategy for curating one's feed or avoiding unwanted content. Searching news sites for terms like "social media unfollow" will yield many results.
Social Media Platforms (Meta-Examples):
Within social media platforms themselves, the verb "unfollow" is a core function. The user interface of Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc., all feature a prominent "Unfollow" button or similar function. This is the most common and visible usage.
Entertainment:
Reality TV shows that focus on social media fame often discuss "unfollowing" as a form of social rejection or a consequence of bad behavior. Characters might say, "I'm going to unfollow them!"
In online discussions about celebrities or influencers, fans might comment about unfollowing someone due to a scandal or unpopular opinion.
General Public Discourse:
"I had to unfollow my friend on Facebook because their political posts were driving me crazy." ( people use the word in everyday conversation.)
"My kids are always talking about who they're following and unfollowing on TikTok." (This illustrates how the word has become part of the vocabulary of younger generations.)
It's important to note that much of the usage of "unfollow" occurs in informal settings (social media, conversations). Formal publications tend to use slightly more formal phrasing (e.g., "lost followers," "stopped following").
10 Famous Quotes Using Unfollow
"Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is unfollow someone." — Elizabeth Gilbert (attributed from social media commentary)
"Unfollow people in real life too. Your peace is worth more than their proximity." — Unknown (popular mental wellness mantra)
"If it costs your peace, it’s too expensive. Unfollow accordingly." — Cleo Wade
"You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to. You can unfollow the drama." — Vex King
"Don’t be afraid to unfollow people who no longer inspire, challenge, or support you." — Yung Pueblo
"Self-care sometimes means hitting ‘unfollow,’ ‘mute,’ or ‘block’ — even if it’s not digital." — Nedra Glover Tawwab
"Unfollow the rules that no longer serve the person you are becoming." — Brené Brown (adapted from her teachings)
"Unfollow aesthetics that make you question your worth." — The Nap Ministry
"Your algorithm is your responsibility. Unfollow what dims your light." — Morgan Harper Nichols
"It’s okay to unfollow people who had a front-row seat to your pain but never clapped for your healing." — Alex Elle
Etymology
"Un-": This is a prefix that means "not" or "the opposite of." It's a very common prefix in English and comes from Old English.
"Follow": This word has a long history, tracing back to Old English "folgian," meaning "to accompany, go after." It implies going after someone or something, either physically or in a more abstract sense (like following a leader or a set of ideas).
So, when you put "un-" and "follow" together, you get "unfollow," which literally means "to not follow" or "to stop following."
Because "unfollow" is so closely tied to social media, its widespread use is relatively recent. While the individual components ("un" and "follow") are ancient, the combined word in its current meaning probably started gaining traction with the rise of platforms like Twitter and other social media sites in the late 2000s and early 2010s. There's no single documented "first use" that's easily traceable, as the word likely emerged organically as people began using these platforms. It's a natural combination of existing words to describe a new online behavior.
In essence, "unfollow" is a straightforward word. It takes two very common, old words and combines them to describe a new action made possible by modern technology.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Unfollow
"Unfollow" is so specifically tied to social media, it hasn't generated a lot of traditional idioms or widespread phrases beyond its literal meaning. It's a functional word, not one that lends itself easily to figurative language. You won't find it in collections of common English idioms.
Literal Use: "I had to unfollow him. His posts were too negative." (This is the most common usage, a straightforward description of the action.)
Figurative Extension (Original): "She unfollowed the narrative of her family's expectations and pursued her own dreams." (This uses "unfollow" metaphorically to mean rejecting a pre-set path.)
Figurative Extension (Original): "He needed to unfollow the voice of self-doubt and start believing in himself." (Again, a metaphorical use, applying "unfollow" to internal thoughts.)
Synonymous Phrases: We can use synonyms to create phrases that capture a similar meaning:
"I unsubscribed from his negativity."
"She disconnected from that drama."
"He opted out of that conversation."
Phrases Related to Social Media:
"Unfollow culture" (This refers to the phenomenon of people quickly unfollowing others due to minor offenses or disagreements.)
"Unfollowed for..." (This can be used in a sentence like, "He was unfollowed for his controversial comments.")
Why no traditional idioms?
Idioms are phrases with a figurative meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. They develop over time through repeated use and cultural context. "Unfollow," as a relatively new word tied to a specific technology, hasn't had enough time to become embedded in the language in that way. Its meaning is very literal, and it's primarily used in the context of social media. It's unlikely to generate the kind of colorful, figurative phrases that older words have.
While we can create new phrases using "unfollow" metaphorically, these are more like extended metaphors or creative uses of the word, not established idioms.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of unfollow from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
