ENGLISH
REFERENCE

unnoticed

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ənˈnoʊtɪst// UK //ʌnnˈəʊtɪsd// un·no·ticed

adj. not seen or heard by anyone. You use this to describe something that happens without people paying attention to it.

adj. not observed, perceived, or remarked upon. Often used to describe subtle changes or actions performed discreetly.


SIMPLE

She tried to slip out of the room unnoticed.

CONTEXTUAL

The small error in the contract went unnoticed for months until a lawyer finally spotted it during a routine audit.

COMPLEX

While the grand architectural changes were praised by the public, the subtle improvements to the building's structural integrity remained largely unnoticed by the casual observer.

Antonyms
Origin

From un- + noticed.

Usage

Often follows linking verbs like 'go', 'pass', or 'remain'.

Pitfall

he did it unnoticedlyhe did it unnoticedLearners often try to add '-ly' to create an adverb, but 'unnoticed' is frequently used as a predicative adjective or a depictive secondary predicate.

© 2026 English Reference