adj
Uncommon
unseen
uhn-SEEN
Unseen (adj) means not seen or noticed; invisible or hidden from view. Example: “An unseen force seemed to push the door shut.”
adj
1
Not seen or noticed; invisible or hidden from view.
"An unseen force seemed to push the door shut."
"She slipped out of the party unseen."
"The unseen danger beneath the ice made the lake unsafe to cross."
noun
1
(education) A text or passage given for translation or analysis without prior study.
"Students struggled with the Latin unseen in the exam."
"The unseen passage tested their comprehension under pressure."
"For homework, we had to translate an unseen from a French newspaper."
How to use unseen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot visible or noticed — or, in a school exam, a passage students haven't studied beforehand.
Common pairings
unseen forces
go unseen
an unseen passage
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Word forms
- Plural
- unseens
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
An _____ force seemed to push the door shut.
Etymology
From Old English unġesewen, from un- plus seen.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for unseen
See all rhymes for unseen →Frequently asked questions
What does “unseen” mean?
The word “unseen” means not seen or noticed; invisible or hidden from view. In plain terms, not visible or noticed — or, in a school exam, a passage students haven't studied beforehand.
How do you pronounce “unseen”?
“Unseen” is pronounced uhn-SEEN (/ʌnˈsiːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “unseen” in a sentence?
Here is “unseen” used in a sentence: “An unseen force seemed to push the door shut.”
What part of speech is “unseen”?
Depending on how it is used, “unseen” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “unseen” come from?
The word “unseen” comes from Old English. From Old English unġesewen, from un- plus seen.
Is “unseen” a common word?
“Unseen” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “unseen” have?
“Unseen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not seen or noticed; invisible or hidden from view.
What is the difference between unseen and invisible?
Unseen simply means something has not been seen or noticed, even if it could potentially be observed. Invisible describes something that cannot be seen at all, often because it is physically imperceptible. A person can walk through a crowd unseen, but a gas can be truly invisible to the naked eye.
What does an unseen exam or unseen text mean in education?
In an educational context, an unseen refers to a text or passage given to students for translation or analysis without any prior preparation or study. It tests a student's ability to respond to unfamiliar material on the spot, rather than recall rehearsed answers.
Can unseen be used to describe forces or influences, not just objects?
Yes, unseen commonly describes abstract or intangible things such as forces, dangers, or influences that affect events without being directly observed. For example, writers often refer to 'unseen forces' shaping a situation.
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