Word
unidentified
Phoneticsuniden·ti·fied
US/ˌənaɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪd/
UK/ˌʌnaɪdˈɛntɪfˌaɪd/
Definition
adj. not recognized or known. You use this to describe something that has been seen but nobody knows exactly what it is or who it belongs to.
adj. not recognized or having no established identity. Often used in official, forensic, or scientific contexts to describe objects, persons, or substances whose origins remain unknown.
Examples
“The police found an unidentified car parked in the driveway.”
“A small, unidentified object was seen flying over the coast, prompting a brief investigation by the local authorities.”
“The museum's basement contains several unidentified fragments of pottery that likely date back to the late Bronze Age, though their exact provenance remains a mystery to researchers.”
Examples
simple
“The police found an unidentified car parked in the driveway.”
contextual
“A small, unidentified object was seen flying over the coast, prompting a brief investigation by the local authorities.”
complex
“The museum's basement contains several unidentified fragments of pottery that likely date back to the late Bronze Age, though their exact provenance remains a mystery to researchers.”
Usage
Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun.
Real-World Examples
“Throughout his trial, Handule’s unidentified co-accused was referred to as “Black hoodie man.” K.J.” “The unidentified woman was transported to a local hospital by Peel paramedics with life-threatening injuries.” Etymology
From un- + identified.
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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QR code
englishreference.com/q/unidentified