The first time I saw “unphased or unfazed,” I paused while writing an email. Both spellings looked right, and I didn’t want to sound unprofessional, so I did what most people do I searched it.
It turns out this confusion is incredibly common. Unphased and unfazed sound almost identical, look believable, and show up everywhere online, which makes it hard to know which one is actually correct.
In this guide, I’ll give you the quick answer, explain why this mix-up happens, and share simple examples and tips so you can use the right word with confidence every time.
Unphased or Unfazed : Quick Answer
Unfazed is correct.
Unphased is a common misspelling.
- Unfazed = not bothered, not upset, not affected
- Unphased = ❌ incorrect spelling in standard English
Examples
- She was unfazed by the bad news.
- He stayed unfazed during the interview.
The Origin of “Unfazed”
The word unfazed comes from the verb faze, which means “to disturb” or “to bother.”
Faze came into English around the late 1800s from American slang.
Why the spelling confusion?
There is another word: phase — meaning “stage,” “period,” or “level.”
People mix them up because “faze” and “phase” sound alike, even though they mean different things.
- faze = bother
- phase = period of time
That is why unphased looks logical, but it is wrong.
British English vs American English Spelling
Good news:
Both British and American English agree that “unfazed” is correct.
“Unphased” appears online, but it is considered non-standard everywhere.
Comparison Table
| Word | Correct? | Meaning | Example |
| unfazed | ✅ Yes | not bothered | She was unfazed by critics. |
| unphased | ❌ No | none (mistake) | — |
| phase | ✅ Yes | stage/period | A new phase of life. |
| faze | ✅ Yes | disturb/bother | Nothing can faze him. |
Which Spelling Should You Use?
- US audience → always use unfazed
- UK/Commonwealth → always use unfazed
- Global writing → use unfazed
There is no regional difference for this word.
If you are writing anything professional, academic, business, or published online, choose unfazed.
Only use unphased if you are quoting someone’s mistake, social media slang, or humorous writing.
Common Mistakes with “Unphased” and “Unfazed”
| Mistake | Why It’s Wrong | Correct Form |
| He was unphased by the comment. | Misspelling of “unfazed” | He was unfazed by the comment. |
| I am unphased by bad news. | Using “phase” instead of “faze” | I am unfazed by bad news. |
| Nothing unphases her. | Wrong base verb | Nothing fazes her. |
| It did not phase me. | Wrong meaning | It did not faze me. |
“Unfazed” in Everyday Examples
Emails
- “She remained unfazed by the delay.”
- “He seemed unfazed about the change in schedule.”
News
- “The team was unfazed by early challenges.”
- “Investors appear unfazed by the report.”
Social Media
- “Still unfazed by the haters 😎”
- “Unfazed and moving forward!”
Formal Writing
- “The speaker remained unfazed throughout the debate.”
- “The data shows the market is unfazed by seasonal dips.”
Unphased or Unfazed: Trends & Usage Data
Based on recent search data, the phrase “unphased or unfazed” is most searched in:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- India
- South Africa
- Australia
People search for this keyword when writing:
- emails
- essays
- social posts
- business communication
- academic papers
The main reason:
Most readers want to know which spelling is correct.
Comparison Table (Keyword Variations)
| Form | Type | Usage | Example |
| Unfazed | adjective | not bothered | She was unfazed. |
| Faze | verb | to disturb | Nothing can faze me. |
| Unphased | misspelling | — | ❌ Don’t use this. |
| Phase | noun | stage/period | A new phase of life. |
FAQs
1. Is “unphased” ever correct?
No. It is considered a spelling mistake.
2. What does “unfazed” mean?
Not worried, not upset, not affected.
3. How do you remember the difference?
If it means “not bothered,” use unfazed.
4. Can “unfazed” be formal?
Yes. It is fine in emails, reports, articles, and essays.
5. Is “phase” related to “faze”?
No. They sound alike, but they have different origins and meanings.
6. Is “unfazed” a real dictionary word?
Yes. Major dictionaries list it as the only correct spelling.
7. Does British English ever use “unphased”?
No. Same rule: unfazed is correct.
Conclusion
The words “unphased” and “unfazed” may sound the same, but only one of them is correct in standard English. Unfazed means not bothered, not upset, and not affected by something.
Unphased looks similar and makes sense at first, but it comes from confusion with the word phase, which means a stage or period of time. Once you understand that faze means bother and phase means stage, the choice becomes easy.
There are no regional spelling differences. Writers in the United States, United Kingdom, and around the world agree: unfazed is correct everywhere.
Most mistakes happen when people type fast, or they follow the sound instead of the meaning. With the charts, examples, and explanations in this guide, you now know the difference clearly.
Use unfazed in all formal and casual writing, and avoid unphased unless you are talking about calendars, timelines, or phases of life.
I’m Helena Marwick, a grammar-focused writer at Wordorae.com, where I help readers understand confusing English words and usage clearly.
I specialize in making grammar simple, accurate, and easy to apply in everyday writing.
