unheard-of

adjective

un·​heard-of ˌən-ˈhərd-ˌəv How to pronounce unheard-of (audio)
-ˌäv
: previously unknown
especially : unprecedented
moving at unheard-of speeds

Examples of unheard-of in a Sentence

houses selling at unheard-of prices
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Don’t miss this price drop on the HP Omen Max, which sees an unheard-of $1,150 price drop. Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 27 June 2025 Injuries by these fish are rare but not unheard-of. Dan Radel, USA Today, 27 June 2025 The Pearl Hill fire jumped an almost unheard-of 900 feet to cross the Columbia River. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025 Prior to 2025, grant cancellations were virtually unheard-of. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for unheard-of

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unheard-of was in 1592

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unheard-of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unheard-of. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

unheard-of

adjective
un·​heard-of
-ˌəv,
-ˌäv
: previously unknown : unprecedented
moving at unheard-of speeds

More from Merriam-Webster on unheard-of

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!