# unnoticed

/ənˈnoʊtɪst/ (US) · /ʌnnˈəʊtɪsd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unnoticed
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

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

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

## Examples

- She tried to slip out of the room unnoticed.
- The small error in the contract went unnoticed for months until a lawyer finally spotted it during a routine audit.
- 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "he did it unnoticedly" but "he did it unnoticed" — Learners often try to add '-ly' to create an adverb, but 'unnoticed' is frequently used as a predicative adjective or a depictive secondary predicate.

## Usage notes

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.