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View synonyms for

unknown

[ uhn-nohn ]

adjective

  1. not known; not within the range of one's knowledge, experience, or understanding; strange; unfamiliar.
  2. not discovered, explored, identified, or ascertained:

    the unknown parts of Antarctica.

  3. not widely known; not famous; obscure:

    an unknown writer.



noun

  1. a thing, influence, area, factor, or person that is unknown:

    the many unknowns in modern medicine; The director cast an unknown in the leading role.

  2. Mathematics. a symbol representing an unknown quantity: in algebra, analysis, etc., frequently represented by a letter from the last part of the alphabet, as x, y, or z.

unknown

/ ʌˈəʊ /

adjective

  1. not known, understood, or recognized
  2. not established, identified, or discovered

    an unknown island

  3. not famous; undistinguished

    some unknown artist

  4. unknown quantity
    a person or thing whose action, effect, etc, is unknown or unpredictable
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an unknown person, quantity, or thing
  2. maths a variable, or the quantity it represents, the value of which is to be discovered by solving an equation; a variable in a conditional equation

    3y = 4x + 5 is an equation in two unknowns

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ܲˈԴǷɲԲԱ, noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of unknown1

First recorded in 1250–1300, unknown is from the Middle English word unknow(e)n. See un- 1, known
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Among all measles patients, 96% were not vaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.

From

So the whereabouts of pieces like a gold collar from the pyramid of King Talakhamani at Nuri, which dates to the 5th Century BC, are unknown.

From

"The underlying motive for the shooting remains unknown," Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC said.

From

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency strongly advises consumers not to use them as the true content - and any possible health risk - is unknown.

From

It’s unknown how many Californians plan to apply, but everyone will have the same chance as long as they’ve applied by the 6 p.m. deadline, Buckley said.

From

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unknowingunknown quantity