UFO

American  

[yoo-ef-oh, yoo-foh] / ˈyuˈɛfˈoʊ, ˈyu foʊ /

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.

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UFO British  

/ ˈjuːfəʊ /

abbreviation

1. unidentified flying object

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UFO ¹ Cultural  

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.

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UFO ² Cultural  

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.

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Usage

See UAP.

Etymology

Origin of UFO

First recorded 1950–55

Example Sentences

I liked it better when this was simply known as “Untitled Steven Spielberg UFO movie.”

From Los Angeles Times

I went in tight, hoping to catch that bubble magic, and managed this single frame that looks like a UFO.

From BBC

Along with the tide of history, England must overcome a pink ball that brings all the familiarity of a UFO.

From BBC

He recalls its emphasis on music and quirkiness—including a science teacher who had been interviewed for a UFO documentary and sports coaches who sang in the open-air hallways.

From The Wall Street Journal

There was a sharp rise in reported UFO sightings.

From Literature