What is unknown? Pronunciation and usage in English

unknown means . Learn how to pronounce and use unknown through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of unknown

unknownadjective

/ʌnˈnəʊn/
Definition & pronunciation of unknown

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "unknown." Here's a breakdown with audio links to help you:

Pronunciation:

  • uhn-KNOWN (IPA: /ʌnˈnuːn/)

Let's break it down:

  1. "un-": This is pronounced like "uhn." It's a short, open "uh" sound, like the "a" in "about." Think of it as a very subtle "uh."

  2. "know": This is pronounced like "KNOWN." It’s the same as the word "know." The "ow" sound is clear.

  3. "-n": This is a regular "n" sound.

Putting it together:

It flows smoothly from the “uhn” to the “KNOWN”.

Resources with Audio:

Tips for getting it right:

  • Don’t overemphasize the "uhn." It's a subtle sound, almost like a slight pause.
  • Focus on the clear "KNOWN" sound. This is the main part of the word.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some example sentences using "unknown"?
  • Focus on a specific part of the pronunciation (like the "uhn")?

Usage and examples with the word unknown in English

Let's break down how to use the word "unknown" effectively in English. It has several different nuances, so understanding these is key!

1. As an Adjective (Most Common Usage): Referring to something not known or unidentified

  • Meaning: This is the most frequent way to use "unknown." It describes something that hasn’t been discovered, identified, or recognized.
  • Examples:
    • "The origin of the ancient artifact is completely unknown." (We don't know where it came from.)
    • “She felt unknown in the bustling city.” (She didn't feel recognized or connected.)
    • "The cause of the illness remains unknown." (The reason for the illness isn’t yet established.)
    • "The satellite's trajectory is unknown at this point." (We don’t know where it will be.)
    • “He was an unknown artist when he first started painting.” (He had no recognized reputation.)

2. As a Noun: Refers to the state of being unknown

  • Meaning: “Unknown” can be used as a thing – the state or condition of not being known.
  • Examples:
    • "The unknown dangers of space exploration are a major concern." (The risks are not yet known.)
    • "She embraced the unknown with a sense of adventure." (She was facing something without prior knowledge.)
    • "The report details the unknown factors contributing to the decline." (There are as-yet unidentified causes.)

3. Figurative/Emotional Usage

  • Meaning: Sometimes, "unknown" is used to describe a feeling of detachment, isolation, or mystery. It can evoke a sense of something hidden or unexplored within oneself.
  • Examples:
    • "He stared into the vast, unknown depths of his own mind." (He was confronting his unconscious thoughts)
    • “Lost in the unknown wilderness, she relied on her instincts.” (She was experiencing a feeling of being adrift and dependent on primal fear/survival)

Key Points & Variations:

  • “Unidentified” is often interchangeable with "unknown," particularly when referring to objects or phenomena. (e.g., “An unidentified object was spotted in the sky.”)
  • “As yet unknown” or “still unknown” are also common ways to phrase things that are currently not known. (e.g., “The full extent of the damage is as yet unknown.”)
  • "The unknown variable" – often used in science or mathematics, referring to a factor that isn't yet known and needs to be determined.

How to Choose the Right Usage:

  1. What is being described? Is it a place, a thing, a cause, a feeling?
  2. What's the meaning you want to convey? Do you simply want to state that something is not known, or do you want to emphasize the mystery or danger associated with it?

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you thinking about using "unknown"? (e.g., writing a story, giving a presentation, having a conversation?)
  • Can you provide a sentence or phrase where you’re considering using the word?

Synonyms for the word unknown

Idioms of the word unknown

an unknown quantity
a person or thing whose qualities or abilities are not yet known
    unknown to somebody
    without the person mentioned being aware of it
    • Unknown to me, he had already signed the agreement.

    Practice with vocabulary unknown

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The specific parameters affecting the experiment's outcome are currently _____, requiring further investigation.
    2. Her whereabouts after leaving the conference became entirely _____, prompting concerns from her colleagues.
    3. Despite initial setbacks, the team managed to resolve the complex issue with remarkable _____.
    4. The company issued a formal _____ for the data breach, assuring customers of improved security measures.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

    1. The precise mechanism by which the drug affects cellular regeneration is entirely _____. A) explicit B) known C) unknown D) understood

    2. Before deciding on the investment, the board needed to assess the _____ variables in the volatile market. A) identified B) obscure C) familiar D) unknown

    3. Exploring the newly discovered cave system presented numerous challenges due to its largely _____ terrain. A) familiar B) uncharted C) known D) unknown

    4. The consultant's report offered an overly _____ analysis, failing to provide concrete recommendations. A) specific B) clear C) vague D) definite

    5. To avoid public outcry, the management tried to keep the details of the restructuring plan _____. A) transparent B) secret C) overt D) public

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The cause of the sudden power outage has not yet been identified by the technical team.
    2. We currently lack comprehensive knowledge about the long-term environmental impact of these new chemicals.
    3. The researcher's notes from the ancient expedition were very difficult to read because of their poor condition.

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The specific parameters affecting the experiment's outcome are currently unknown, requiring further investigation.
    2. Her whereabouts after leaving the conference became entirely unknown, prompting concerns from her colleagues.
    3. Despite initial setbacks, the team managed to resolve the complex issue with remarkable skill.
    4. The company issued a formal apology for the data breach, assuring customers of improved security measures.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. C) unknown
    2. B) obscure, D) unknown
    3. B) uncharted, D) unknown
    4. C) vague
    5. B) secret

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The cause of the sudden power outage remains unknown to the technical team.
    2. The long-term environmental impact of these new chemicals is largely unknown to us.
    3. The researcher's notes from the ancient expedition were very unclear, making them difficult to decipher.

    Comment ()