WordGarden.iounknown
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌnnˈəʊn/
US
- /ənˈnoʊn/
Meanings
Adjective
not known, identified, or understood
Noun
a person or thing whose identity or nature is not known
an unknown quantity or variable in mathematics
Beyond the definition
Something "unknown" simply means not known or not yet understood. It lives in the space where information is missing. Think about exploring a dark cave: much of it stays unknown until you shine a light inside. The word can describe many things, from a hidden treasure to a future event. We often talk about "the unknown" as if it is a wide, slightly scary place full of possibilities. A detective might search for an unknown person, or a scientist might study an unknown species in the rainforest. It is not always negative; sometimes, the unknown is exciting.
The word "unknown" describes something that is not currently known, understood, or identified. It can refer to facts, people, places, causes, or even future events. It points to a lack of information, a gap in what we know.
"Unknown" is not the same as "impossible." Something unknown simply is not yet known. For example, centuries ago, vast parts of the deep ocean were unknown to researchers. Now we are beginning to map those areas in detail. In the same way, when you start a new book, the story is still unknown to you until it unfolds page by page.
The word is also used in some special contexts. In mathematics, an "unknown" is a value represented by a letter, such as "x", because its value has not been found yet. In history and remembrance, "The Unknown Soldier" honors soldiers who died in war and could not be identified.
We often use "unknown" to create a feeling of mystery or suspense. A thriller might feature an unknown presence in the shadows or an unknown caller. The phrase "into the unknown" suggests adventure and the courage to face what has not been discovered yet. Whether it is a missing piece of data or a future possibility, "unknown" marks the edge of our current understanding and invites us to explore further.
Examples
- 1
Fire investigation
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
- 2
Phone calls
She ignored the call because it came from an unknown number.
- 3
Public fame
At the time, the singer was still unknown outside her hometown.
- 4
Tourism
The village was largely unknown to foreign tourists.
- Patternunknown to + person/group
not known or familiar to them
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Hidden information
Unknown to me, they had already sold the house.
- Patternunknown to + person
without that person knowing
- 6
Unexplained reason
For reasons unknown, the train stopped for nearly an hour.
- Phrasefor reasons unknown
for reasons that nobody knows
- 7
Uncertain situation
Leaving his old job felt like stepping into the unknown.
- Phraseinto the unknown
into an uncertain situation
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- unknown cause
- unknown number
- fear of the unknown
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- unknownnounadjective
Forms
- unknownspluralnounadjective