UFO

American  

[yoo-ef-oh, yoo-foh] / ˈjuˈɛfˈoʊ, ˈju foʊ /

abbreviation

• UFO's,
  plural
• UFOs
  plural

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

See Examples For:

UFO

He professed a fondness for Tupac Shakur and electronic dance music, discussed UFO sightings around U.S. military installations and admitted his ideal fall Saturday involves spending hours watching college football.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

Shovel in the fact that some conspiracy theories have turned out to be at least semi-plausible—cue the drip-drip of UFO disclosures—and you have fertile soil for sprawling kudzu-like growth in the business of manufactured truth.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

Space is hot, featuring NASA, UFO and WARP.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

"It was a total long shot, but, like a UFO believer, I held on to the possibility of making contact," he said.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

Audrey glanced at me knowingly, and not because of the obvious UFO reference.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson