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

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said forensic analysis detected TNT and unidentified brown substances on a bulletproof helmet, protective vests and rifles belonging to soldiers involved in the operation. — ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026

The firefighter, who remains unidentified publicly, was transported to a local hospital with significant injuries. — Austin Turner, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026

Ada Kaplan MooreKern County Sheriff's Office On the morning of March 29, 2011, the body of an unidentified woman was found by employees on the grounds of an Arvin, California, orchard. — Veronica Fulton-Mazaika, NBC news, 26 Sep. 2026

As fire ripped through the apartment building, the stepfather of five paused to talk the unidentified pregnant woman out of jumping from the second-story window to the dirt and concrete below. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 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