unnamed
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
used when you do not want to say the name of a person or group, often to protect them.
referring to a person or entity whose identity is known to the speaker or writer but is intentionally withheld from the audience.
Simple“An unnamed source at the company told the newspaper about the secret plans.”
In context“The report cited several unnamed officials who claimed that the policy had been drafted without proper legal consultation.”
UsageOften used in journalism and formal reports to protect the identity of whistleblowers or witnesses.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
describes something that has not been given a name yet.
lacking a formal name or designation; often used for geographical features or newly discovered objects.
Simple“The hikers followed an unnamed path that led deep into the forest.”
In context“Astronomers recently discovered an unnamed planet orbiting a star in a distant galaxy, currently identified only by a serial number.”
UsageUsually placed before the noun it describes.
Antonyms
“Epstein appears to have asked an unnamed individual to buy a Snow White costume weeks before those exchanges, on 20 June 2010.”
From un- + named.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.