The adjective 'unmetaled' describes a road, path, or surface that has not been paved or surfaced with a hard material like asphalt, concrete, or gravel. It indicates a natural or unrefined state of the surface, typically consisting of earth, dirt, or natural rock. This lack of surface treatment often results in a less smooth, more uneven, and potentially muddier or dustier travel experience compared to a metaled road. The term highlights a contrast between natural ground and artificially improved surfaces.
Unmetaled meaning with examples
- The explorers, having left the last vestiges of civilization far behind, found their wagons lurching along an unmetaled track. The dust rose in thick clouds with every turn of the wheels. The road was rough and pitted, a stark reminder of how far they were from the comforts of the city, and it made travel arduous and slow. They needed to reach a metaled road before nightfall.
- Her vintage car, a relic of a bygone era, was not designed for the challenges of an unmetaled mountain road. The narrow, winding path tested her car's suspension. Every bump and dip was amplified. After many hours of driving, she was relieved to finally see the smooth, paved highway that would soon lead her home.
- The cyclists preferred to explore the quieter countryside, and navigated the maze of unmetaled lanes. Their bikes handled with a practiced ease, each rough surface providing a new challenge for them. They sought the escape from the urban sprawl. This type of terrain let them enjoy a more immersive connection with nature, but was also difficult for the less experienced.
- Developers were debating how to best approach the building project. They worried about the costs involved in metaling, or re-metaling any sections of the site. Before a new building could be built, all roads and pathways within the property boundary would need to be unmetaled to make way for utility lines or pipelines that would go directly underneath.