unknown
gb/ʌnnˈoʊn/ us/ʌnnˈoʊn/
A2
English
~ 2100
ismeretlen, ismeretlen személy, ismeretlen mennyiség
A2
1
ismeretlen
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is unknown
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
A tűz oka továbbra is ismeretlen.
Her whereabouts are currently unknown to the police.
A tartózkodási helye jelenleg ismeretlen a rendőrség előtt.
The substance was of an unknown origin.
The author of the letter remains unknown.
We sailed into unknown waters.
Learner examples
The reason is unknown.
Az ok ismeretlen.
His name is unknown to me.
A neve számomra ismeretlen.
The place is unknown.
The answer is unknown.
This animal is unknown in my country.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'unknown' with 'strange'; 'unknown' simply means not known, while 'strange' implies unusual or odd.
Meaning
Not known or identified
Collocations
remain unknown
|identity unknown
|unknown source
|unknown reason
|unknown location
Synonyms
unfamiliar (Suggests something not previously experienced or recognized.)
|
unidentified (Specifically means not having been officially recognized or named.)
Antonyms
known (Means recognized, familiar, or identified.)
|
familiar (Means something is recognized from previous experience.)
Themes
knowledge
|information
|mystery
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not known or recognized by people.
Not known, recognized, or identified by name, nature, or existence.
NOUN
B1
2
ismeretlen
B1
Usage pattern:
an unknown [person/thing]
The actor was a complete unknown before the film.
A színész a film előtt teljesen ismeretlen volt.
She was an unknown in the art world until last year.
Tavalyig ismeretlennek számított a művészeti világban.
He faced an opponent who was an unknown to him.
Learner examples
He is an unknown in sports.
A sport világában ismeretlennek számít.
She was an unknown before the show.
A műsor előtt ismeretlen volt.
That singer was an unknown last year.
Meaning
A person or thing not known
Collocations
a complete unknown
|an unknown quantity
|a relative unknown
Synonyms
stranger (Usually refers to a person you have never met, but may be known to others.)
|
outsider (Refers to someone not belonging to a group, not necessarily unknown in identity.)
Antonyms
celebrity (A person widely known by the public.)
|
famous person (Someone who is well-known to many people.)
Themes
people
|mystery
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person or thing that people do not know about.
A person or thing whose identity or nature is not known or recognized.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
3
In this equation, x is the unknown.
Ebben az egyenletben az x az ismeretlen.
We need to solve for the three unknowns in the system.
Meg kell oldanunk a rendszer három ismeretlenét.
The experiment aims to identify the unknowns in the mixture.
Learner examples
X is the unknown in this problem.
Ebben a feladatban az X az ismeretlen.
We must find the unknown number.
Meg kell találnunk az ismeretlen számot.
There are two unknowns in this question.
Meaning
Variable with undetermined value
Collocations
solve for the unknown
|find the unknowns
Synonyms
variable (A symbol representing a quantity that can change or be assigned different values.)
Antonyms
constant (A value that does not change and is already determined.)
Themes
science
|mathematics
|education
Definition
In math or science, something with a value you do not know yet.
A quantity in mathematics, science, or logic whose value has not been determined.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unknown
IPA
GB/ʌnnˈoʊn/
US/ʌnnˈoʊn/
Syllables & stress
un - known (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (known)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unknown
Noun
- Base: unknown
- Plural: unknowns
Word family
Expressions
fear of the unknown
1/fˈɪɹ əv ðə ʌnnˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
Fear of things not understood
Feeling afraid because you do not know what will happen or do not understand something.
Examples
- Many people have a fear of the unknown when starting a new job.
- Her fear of the unknown kept her from traveling abroad.
the great unknown
1/ðə ɡɹˈeɪt ʌnnˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
Vast unexplored or mysterious thing
Something very big and mysterious that people have not explored or understood yet.
Examples
- Space has always been called the great unknown.
- The expedition set out into the great unknown.
unknown quantity
1/ʌnnˈoʊn kwˈɔntɪti/
fixed phrase
Unpredictable due to being unfamiliar
A person or thing you do not know much about, so you cannot predict what they will do.
Examples
- The new player is an unknown quantity for the team.
- The new player is an unknown quantity to the team.
- In politics, she is still an unknown quantity.
- Her abilities are still an unknown quantity in this field.