uncharted

American  

[uhn-chahr-tid] / ʌnˈtʃɑr tɪd /

adjective

1. not shown or located on a map; unexplored; unknown, as a place or region.

   the uncharted depths of space.

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uncharted British  

/ ʌnˈtʃɑːtɪd /

adjective

1. (of a physical or nonphysical region or area) not yet mapped, surveyed, or investigated

   uncharted waters

   the uncharted depths of the mind

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Usage

What’s the difference between uncharted and unchartered? Uncharted means unexplored or unmapped, as in uncharted territory or uncharted waters. Unchartered means not having (or not done under) a charter or some other kind of official authorization, as in an unchartered flight. It’s sometimes used to mean unauthorized or lawless, as in unchartered activity. The chart in uncharted refers to a map, but charted is not commonly used as an adjective—most people would say mapped. In contrast, both unchartered and chartered (meaning having a charter or officially authorized) are used.The two words are often used in much different contexts, but there are some cases where both could apply. For example, a remote parcel of land may be both uncharted (unmapped) and unchartered (not bound by any official charters or laws).Here’s an example of uncharted and unchartered used correctly in a sentence.Example: The movie is an adventure about a group of teens who take a secret, unchartered flight to explore an uncharted island. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between uncharted and unchartered.

Etymology

Origin of uncharted

First recorded in 1840–50; un- ¹ + chart + -ed ²

Example Sentences

“No boat can get close; the glimourie pushes them away, so gently that they never notice. In the same way planes can’t fly overhead, but they never know it. It’s uncharted and unchartable.”

From Literature

“This is uncharted water. Never before in the country’s history has the government asserted this type of power,” attorney Jonathan Hafetz told The Guardian.

From Salon

The Los Angeles trial is among a handful of bellwethers meant to clarify the uncharted legal terrain.

From Los Angeles Times

"We're in uncharted territory here," Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said.

From Barron's

Eventually Mr. Dooley and his older brother would found Cuba’s Department of Underwater Investigations “with a mission,” Mr. Sancton writes, “to explore Cuba’s largely uncharted continental shelf.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• far-off
• faraway
• remote
• undiscovered
• unexplored