unknown - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
unknown Word Meanings
- not known or familiar
- not within one's knowledge
- of uncertain identity
unknown Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
unknown Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ʌnˈnəʊn/
US
/ʌnˈnoʊn/
unknown Word Etymology
Root decomposition: un- (not) + known (known). Historical origin: Old English 'uncnowen' (unknown) from Latin. Memory image: Imagine a mysterious book covered in dust, waiting to reveal its secrets; its pages marked 'unknown' to all who pass by.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I reach for a curious object, move it in my hands, and turn it over to check if it has a name. I tilt, adjust my grip, and feel a light push between curiosity and doubt. The moment shifts from certainty to not knowing, and I realize how something unfamiliar sits outside what I already know. That hesitation shows me how 'unknown' grows when clues hide, and I keep walking, looking, and testing ideas until something clicks.
Real Context
The word unknown describes something not known or familiar to you, or not within your knowledge. It can refer to something not yet identified, a person whose name is not known, or a situation whose outcome is not clear. In science, you may encounter 'an unknown variable' in equations. In everyday speech, you might ask about an unknown person or call a problem 'unknown' until you solve it. The term often appears in reports, mystery stories, and discussions where information is incomplete. Remember that unknown does not imply deliberate secrecy; it simply means information has not yet been obtained.
Usage Reminders
- - Use unknown to describe information not yet identified or confirmed.
- - Distinguish unknown from unfamiliar or unclear in context.
- - Learn common collocations: unknown variable, unknown origin, unknown caller.
- - Remember it can be used as a noun phrase (the unknown) in fiction or theory.
- - Do not use unknown to mean 'not important' or 'insignificant'.
- - Check whether the information is truly missing or just not stated yet.
Common Misconceptions
- Unknown means 'not important' or 'uninteresting'.
- Unknown is always about people, never objects.
- Unknown and unfamiliar are interchangeable in every context.
- The phrase 'the unknown' is never used in formal writing.
- If you don't know the answer, you must say it is unknown.
Thinking Differences
Unknown is straightforward for English speakers, but learners often confuse it with unfamiliar or unclear; a noun form the unknown is common in discussion of mysteries or theories.
Learning Tips
- Practice using unknown in topics like science, math, and mystery.
- Differentiate between not known and not remembered; both are not the same.
- Learn common collocations and phrases with unknown.
- Notice how authors use 'the unknown' as a concept in fiction.
- Read and listen to real-world contexts to see how it's used.
- Review mistakes by comparing with similar words like unfamiliar.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'unknown'?
A.Not known or familiar
B.A type of animal
C.Something very large
D.A popular book
Step 2: Usage
Choose the correct usage of the word 'unknown'.
A.The colors of the rainbow are unknown.
B.The answer to the question remains unknown to many.
C.She is unknown to the party leaders.
D.He likes unknown sandwiches.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'unknown'?
A.Famished
B.Exhausted
C.Unfamiliar
D.Prominent
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'unknown'?
A.Familiar
B.Hidden
C.Concealed
D.Surprising
Step 5: Mastery
In what context might the word 'unknown' be used?
A.The results of the study revealed something surprising.
B.There are many factors that remain unknown in this investigation.
C.Everyone knew the story it was too familiar.
D.I found the fish at the market.
Related Listening
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The Art of Balancing Delight and Responsibility
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