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adjective Uncommon

unidentified

uh-neye-DEHN-tih-fyd

Unidentified (adjective) means not identified; whose name or nature is unknown. Example: “An unidentified man was seen leaving the building late at night.”

adjective
1
Not identified; whose name or nature is unknown.
"An unidentified man was seen leaving the building late at night."
"The remains were unidentified for over a decade before DNA testing confirmed who they were."

How to use unidentified

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWhoever or whatever it is, nobody has figured out who or what yet.

Common pairings
unidentified object unidentified suspect unidentified remains
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An _____ man was seen leaving the building late at night.

Etymology

From un- ("not") + identified.

Related words

Rhymes for unidentified

See all rhymes for unidentified →

Frequently asked questions

What does “unidentified” mean?

The word “unidentified” means not identified; whose name or nature is unknown. In plain terms, whoever or whatever it is, nobody has figured out who or what yet.

How do you pronounce “unidentified”?

“Unidentified” is pronounced uh-neye-DEHN-tih-fyd (/ˌʌnaɪˈdɛntɪfaɪd/ in IPA).

How do you use “unidentified” in a sentence?

Here is “unidentified” used in a sentence: “An unidentified man was seen leaving the building late at night.”

What part of speech is “unidentified”?

“Unidentified” is an adjective.

Is “unidentified” a common word?

“Unidentified” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What is the difference between unidentified and anonymous?

Unidentified means the name or nature of something has not yet been established, often because information is missing, such as an unidentified body or unidentified object. Anonymous means the identity is deliberately withheld or not disclosed, such as an anonymous donor. Unidentified implies uncertainty, while anonymous implies concealment.

Why is unidentified often used in news reports?

News reports use unidentified when facts, such as a person's name or the nature of an object, are not yet confirmed by authorities. It signals that identification is pending rather than permanently unknown.

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