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Synonyms

unseen

American  
[uhn-seen] / ʌnˈsin /

adjective

  1. not seen; unperceived; unobserved; invisible.

  2. recognized or comprehended without prior study, as a written text or musical score.

unseen British  
/ ʌnˈsiːn /

adjective

  1. not observed or perceived; invisible

  2. (of passages of writing) not previously seen or prepared

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a passage, not previously seen, that is presented to students for translation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
unseen Idioms  

  1. see sight unseen.

Etymology

Origin of unseen

1150–1200; Middle English unsene, unsehene; un- 1, seen

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

From design prototypes of its biggest products to early patents, Apple’s CEO gave us an intimate look at unseen items that help tell the story of 50 years of company history.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

There are hours of unseen interview footage as well.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

They found that standard methods for producing entangled photons can contain previously unseen topological structures.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

The trailer ends with a dramatic clip of Chani running towards an unseen adversary, before fading to black.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

The stairs leading to Father Olufemi’s office were down a corridor only a few yards away; she just had to find a way to get to them unseen.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.