UFO

[yoo-ef-oh, yoo-foh]

abbreviation

plural

UFO's, UFOs 

1. unidentified flying object: any unexplained moving object observed in the sky, especially one assumed by some observers to be of extraterrestrial origin.

UFO

/ ˈjuːfəʊ /

abbreviation

1. unidentified flying object

UFO

¹

1. The abbreviation for u nidentified f lying o bject. Sometimes referred to colloquially as “flying saucers.” Most UFO sightings have prosaic explanations; there is no hard evidence that extraterrestrial beings are visiting Earth.

UFO

²

1. An abbreviation for “U nidentified F lying O bject.” Often described as “flying saucers,” some UFOs are believed to come from other planets or galaxies and thus support the idea that human beings are not the only form of intelligent life in the universe. Few scientists agree.

Usage

See UAP.

Word History and Origins

Origin of UFO¹

First recorded 1950–55

Example Sentences

Thirty years ago, Scotland was the centre of the UFO world.

From BBC

He was inspired by the rock music of his adolescence: Kiss, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin and UFO.

From Los Angeles Times

For these reasons, experts who spoke to Salon said they support Schumer’s call for declassifying UFO documents, although they urged the public to temper their expectations.

From Salon

What has been observed may look like flying saucers but they are actually lenticular clouds, also referred to by some as pancake or UFO clouds.

From BBC

All the worrying got me thinking about the interview I conducted in September with Sean M. Kirkpatrick, who had recently retired as the Pentagon’s chief investigator of UFO reports.

From Los Angeles Times