| English Dictionary |
UNKNOWN
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does unknown mean?
• UNKNOWN (noun)
The noun UNKNOWN has 3 senses:
1. an unknown and unexplored region
2. anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
3. a variable whose values are solutions of an equation
Familiarity information: UNKNOWN used as a noun is uncommon.
• UNKNOWN (adjective)
The adjective UNKNOWN has 5 senses:
1. not known
2. being or having an unknown or unnamed source
3. not known to exist
4. not famous or acclaimed
5. not known before
Familiarity information: UNKNOWN used as an adjective is common.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
An unknown and unexplored region
Classified under:
Nouns denoting spatial position
Synonyms:
terra incognita; unknown; unknown region
Context example:
they came like angels out the unknown
Hypernyms ("unknown" is a kind of...):
region (a large indefinite location on the surface of the Earth)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
Classified under:
Nouns denoting people
Synonyms:
Hypernyms ("unknown" is a kind of...):
interloper; intruder; trespasser (someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "unknown"):
foreigner; outsider (someone who is excluded from or is not a member of a group)
Derivation:
unknown (not known)
Sense 3
Meaning:
A variable whose values are solutions of an equation
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Synonyms:
unknown; unknown quantity
Hypernyms ("unknown" is a kind of...):
variable (a symbol (like x or y) that is used in mathematical or logical expressions to represent a variable quantity)
Derivation:
unknown (not known)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Not known
Context example:
an unknown source
Similar:
unidentified (not yet identified)
unheard-of (previously unknown)
chartless; uncharted; unmapped ((of unknown regions) not yet surveyed or investigated)
little-known (unknown to most people)
unbeknown; unbeknownst ((usually used with 'to') occurring or existing without the knowledge of)
undiagnosed (eluding diagnosis)
undiscovered; unexplored (not yet discovered)
Also:
inglorious (not bringing honor and glory)
unfamiliar (not known or well known)
unacknowledged (not recognized or admitted)
Antonym:
known (apprehended with certainty)
Derivation:
unknown (a variable whose values are solutions of an equation)
unknown (anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Being or having an unknown or unnamed source
Synonyms:
nameless; unidentified; unknown; unnamed
Context example:
an unnamed donor
Similar:
anon.; anonymous (having no known name or identity or known source)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Not known to exist
Context example:
things obscurely felt surged up from unknown depths
Similar:
unsuspected (not suspected or believed likely)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Not famous or acclaimed
Synonyms:
Context example:
unsung heroes of the war
Similar:
inglorious (not bringing honor and glory)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Not known before
Synonyms:
strange; unknown
Context example:
don't let anyone unknown into the house
Similar:
unfamiliar (not known or well known)
Context examples
There was no telling what unknown terrors were theirs, what unknown hurts they could administer.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
The spread of a malignant neoplasm from an unknown primary to another region remote from the primary site.
(Metastatic Malignant Neoplasm of Unknown Primary Origin, NCI Thesaurus)
Although its exact mechanism of action is unknown this agent appears to act primarily as an alkylator.
(Bendamustine hydrochloride, NCI Thesaurus)
Although the exact mechanism of action of bendamustine is unknown, this agent appears to alkylate and crosslink macromolecules, resulting in DNA, RNA and protein synthesis inhibition, and eventually the induction of apoptosis.
(Bendamustine, NCI Thesaurus)
Behcet disease is most common in young adults and its cause is unknown.
(Behcet disease, NCI Dictionary)
A rare chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology.
(Behcet syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)
It balanced itself, however, a few inches from the edge, and there was our bridge to the unknown.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
An antimetabolite with an unknown or unspecified mechanism of action.
(Miscellaneous Antimetabolite, NCI Thesaurus)
You are a nice fellow to talk of flying off, Steerforth, who are always running wild on some unknown expedition or other!
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
The function of BAGE protein is unknown.
(BAGE Tumor Antigen, NCI Thesaurus)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"Do not wait for good things to search for you, you search for them." (Albanian proverb)
"A mouth that praises and a hand that kills." (Arabic proverb)
"To make an elephant out of a mosquito." (Dutch proverb)