Groundless

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Groundless

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective

Pronunciation

GROWND-luss  /ˈɡraʊndləs/

Definition

Not based on any good reason or evidence; without foundation or justification.

Plain meaning

Groundless means without any good reason or basis — a groundless accusation is one that has no evidence to support it, a groundless fear is one that has no reasonable cause.

Register

Formal to neutral. Groundless is a slightly elevated word — more formal than without reason or unfounded. It is commonly used in legal, professional, and journalistic contexts. Groundless carries a slightly authoritative, dismissive quality — describing a groundless claim implies not just that it is wrong but that it has no evidential standing.