1
a
: not known
It was a world and life, a way of being, utterly unknown to me.—
Avi
AviAn unknown number of cases go unreported.
For some unknown reason, the computer crashed.
b
: not well-known
an unknown writer/artist
When he left, he had been unknown. Now he was famous.—E. B. White
E. B. White2
: having an unknown value
an unknown quantity
Synonyms of unknown
Examples of unknown in a Sentence
a disease of unknown cause
Much remains unknown about his early life.
Her music was previously unknown outside of Asia.
An unknown number of cases go unreported.
The victim's attacker was unknown to her.
For some unknown reason, my computer crashed.
a book of unknown poems
Recent Examples on the Web
Then the team, for unknown reasons, withdrew from the East Asian championship in 2019, and missed the 2023 World Cup, citing the Covid-19 pandemic.
—Andrew McNicol, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
The primary grape in these cuvées is often one that is almost unknown outside its home region.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 7 June 2026
For unknown reasons, the SUV drove off the interstate onto grass north of Eastwood Trafficway, police said.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2026
Another person was transported to a local hospital in unknown condition, the LA Fire Department said.
—Austin Turner, CBS News, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unknown
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Andrew McNicol, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
The primary grape in these cuvées is often one that is almost unknown outside its home region.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 7 June 2026
For unknown reasons, the SUV drove off the interstate onto grass north of Eastwood Trafficway, police said.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2026
Another person was transported to a local hospital in unknown condition, the LA Fire Department said.
—Austin Turner, CBS News, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unknown
Cite this Entry
“Unknown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unknown. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unknown
1 of 2 adjective
un·known
ˌən-ˈnōn 
: not known
also
: having an unknown value
an unknown quantity
unknown
2 of 2 noun1
: something that is unknown
2
: a symbol (as x, y, or z) representing a quantity whose value is unknown
an equation with two unknowns
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