Reading Theme:
Unknown Meaning: Definition, Examples & Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：Not famous (unknown)
unknown
/ʌnˈnoʊn/
adj.
Not recognized or famous.
Not famous
➕
/nɒt ˈfeɪməs/
adj.
Describes a person or thing that is not widely recognized, celebrated, or known to the public.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Prefix 'un-' (not) + 'known' (past participle of 'know'), meaning 'not known or recognized'.
💡 Mnemonic
UN- means NOT, so UNKNOWN = NOT KNOWN. Think of an unlabeled box: its contents are unknown to you.
📖 Example
Before her novel became a bestseller, she was an unknown author who wrote in her small apartment.
She was not famous or recognized until her novel became a bestseller; she wrote in her small apartment as an unknown author.
🔗 Collocations
unknown actor – An actor who has not gained public recognition yet.
unknown quantity – A person or thing whose abilities or characteristics are not yet known.
remain unknown – To stay unrecognized or not discovered by others.
🔄 Synonyms
obscure (adj.) – Not well known; hard to identify or understand.
unrecognized (adj.) – Not acknowledged or given credit for achievement.
nameless (adj.) – Without a name; not famous or identifiable.
🚫 Antonyms
famous (adj.) – Known by many people; widely recognized.
celebrated (adj.) – Publicly praised and well-known.
renowned (adj.) – Famous and admired for great achievements.
🌱 Derivatives
unknownness (n.) – The state of being unknown.
unknowable (adj.) – Not able to be known.
📖 Cultural Story
The word comes from Old English 'uncnāwen', combining 'un-' (not) and 'cnāwen' (known). It has been used since the 13th century to describe both people and things not familiar or discovered.
Meaning 2：Not discovered (unknown)
unknown
/ʌnˈnoʊn/
adj.
Not known or discovered yet.
Not discovered
➕
/nɒt dɪˈskʌvərd/
adj.
Refers to information, places, or phenomena that have not yet been explored, found, or understood.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Scientists are excited by the unknown signals coming from deep space, as they could point to new discoveries.
Scientists are thrilled by signals from deep space that have not yet been identified, because they may lead to new discoveries.
🔗 Collocations
unknown territory – An area that has not been explored or mapped.
unknown variable – A factor in a problem that has not been determined.
unknown origin – Something whose source or beginning is not known.
🔄 Synonyms
undiscovered (adj.) – Not yet found or explored.
unexplored (adj.) – Not examined or investigated.
mysterious (adj.) – Difficult or impossible to understand or explain.
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
unknown (n.) – An unknown person or thing.
unknowingly (adv.) – Without being aware or having knowledge.
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