Meaning & Definition of word "Unknown"
to
Unknown
/ʌnˈnoʊn/
noun:
- 1. A person or thing that is not known or familiar.
- Example: He was an unknown in the world of literature.
- 2. An event or situation whose outcome is uncertain.
- Example: Entering the project was filled with unknowns for the team.
adjective:
- 1. Not known or familiar; not identified or recognized.
- Example: The source of the noise remained unknown.
- 2. Not established or ascertainable; not understood.
- Example: The reasons for the failure are still unknown.
- 3. Unfamiliar or unrecognized by a particular person or group.
- Example: Traveling to an unknown country can be both exciting and daunting.
Etymology
From Middle English unknowe, from Old English uncnāw (un- 'not' + cnāwan 'to know').
Common Phrases and Expressions
the unknown:
A situation or environment that is not understood.
unknown territory:
A situation that is new and unfamiliar.
unknown quantity:
An unpredictable or uncertain factor.
into the unknown:
To venture into a situation that is unfamiliar and potentially risky.
Related Words
unfamiliar:
Not familiar or acquainted.
mystery:
Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain.
secret:
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown.
Slang Meanings of unknown
Meaning: A person who is not well-known in a particular context.
Example Sentence: He's just another unknown in the industry.
Meaning: Something that is unexplained or surprising.
Example Sentence: That twist was totally an unknown!