unidentified

adjective

un·​iden·​ti·​fied ˌən-ī-ˈden-tə-ˌfīd 

-ə-ˈden-

: not having a known or established identity : not identified

unidentified flying objects

an unidentified suspect

Synonyms of unidentified

• one
• unnamed

Examples of unidentified in a Sentence

an unidentified worker reported the security breach

some unidentified person helped them and then left quietly

Recent Examples on the Web

In New York, the ME’s office, working with the NYPD and private labs specializing in genetic genealogy, has helped developed leads for 11 unidentified people, 9 of them murder victims. —Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026

Linkin Park won’t hit the stage in Adelaide tonight (March 12) as planned, after a bandmate was struck down with an unidentified illness. —Lars Brandle, Billboard, 12 Mar. 2026

The unidentified man backed away from Martin, still chewing the cigarette, and waved to the camera before the broadcast cut away. —Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2026

An unidentified shooter was killed on March 12 after exchanging gunfire with security in an attack on a synagogue in the outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, police said. —Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unidentified

• unidentified aerial phenomenon
• unidentified anomalous phenomenon
• unidentified flying object

Rhymes for unidentified

• acetaldehyde
• acetanilide
• arabinoside
• cycloheximide
• cyclophosphamide
• diethylamide
• dinucleotide
• ferricyanide
• ferrocyanide
• glutaraldehyde
• glyceraldehyde
• hydroperoxide