Word
undocumented
Phoneticsun·doc·u·ment·ed, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈdɑkjəmɛnɪd/
UK/ʌndˈɒkjuːməntɪd/
Definitions
01without legal papers
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. living or working in a country without the official legal documents required by the government.
adj. lacking the required legal documents or official authorization for residence or employment in a country.
“The charity provides medical care to undocumented workers who are afraid to go to the hospital.”
“Legislators are currently debating a new pathway to citizenship for undocumented residents who have lived in the country for over a decade.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02without written records
C1 · Advanced Academic · Technical
adj. not recorded in writing or not having instructions on how to use it.
adj. lacking written evidence, instructions, or supporting reference material.
“The old computer program had many undocumented features that the new staff didn't know how to use.”
“The historian struggled to verify the claims because most of the village's traditions remained undocumented for centuries.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03an undocumented person
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal
n. a person who does not have the legal papers to live in a country.
n. a person residing in a country without official legal documentation; used as a collective or individual noun.
“The new law aims to protect the rights of the undocumented in the city.”
“Advocacy groups argue that the undocumented contribute significantly to the local economy through labor and consumption.”
Usage
Often used with the definite article 'the' to refer to a group of people.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Most are now being forced to return as these two neighbours crack down on undocumented migrants.” “How else would anyone be able to know roughly how many undocumented people are in the United States?" he says.” Etymology
From un- + documented.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/undocumented